The Pick: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA<\/strong><\/p>\nEli Manning isn’t getting any younger and the Giants need to take advantage of their high draft pick, as general manager Dave Gettleman is not intent on making the Giants an annual presence in the top five.<\/p>\n
Some Giants fans might be in love with the idea of Baker Mayfield or Saquon Barkley at No. 2, but it is Rosen who is primed for success in the Big Apple.<\/p>\n
Davis Webb isn’t the answer for New York after Manning retires and while Rosen’s personality won’t play everywhere, it certainly will in a major media market like New York.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
3. Indianapolis Colts<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Bradley Chubb, DE\/OLB, NC State<\/strong><\/p>\nThis is where things start to get interesting, as the Colts have a variety of options with the No. 3 pick. They could either trade back into the middle part of the first round, or they could stand pat and take Chubb.<\/p>\n
Chubb would bring instant credibility to an Indianapolis pass rush that has not been the same since the days of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. An argument could also be made for Penn State running back Saquon Barkley at this pick, but addressing the pass rush should be priority No. 1 for GM Chris Ballard in the first round this year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
4. Cleveland Browns<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State<\/strong><\/p>\nNot only do the Browns come out of the first round with their quarterback of the future, but also a playmaker at running back.<\/p>\n
Duke Johnson is a solid NFL running back, but he’s no Saquon Barkley. The Penn State product has been labeled one of the best players in this year’s draft and a generational talent at running back, similar to Leonard Fournette a year ago.<\/p>\n
While Barkley does not possess the same skillset as Fournette, he is elite in his own way, using his speed and shiftiness to give opposing defenders headaches on a weekly basis.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
5. Denver Broncos<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma<\/strong><\/p>\nFor the sake of this mock draft, we’ll assume the Broncos miss out on Kirk Cousins in free agency, meaning John Elway will have to draft a quarterback with the No. 5 pick. Allen has been the QB linked to the Broncos recently and it makes sense, as his measurables are off the charts. However, with the dynamic Mayfield still on the board, it might be hard for Elway to say no.<\/p>\n
Mayfield is an excellent leader with an electric skillset under center. While Allen is not a Day 1 starter, Mayfield could step in and assume starting quarterback duties, something that has to play a big role in Elway’s decision-making process.<\/p>\n
Elway wants to win and he isn’t the most patient executive in the league. After last year’s disappointing season, look for Elway to go with the quick fix at QB.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
6. New York Jets<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nSince the Broncos miss out on Cousins in this mock draft, that means the New York Jets win the free agent battle for the former Washington Redskins’ quarterback.<\/p>\n
That leaves general manager Mike Maccagnan with a tough decision. Does he go with Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick in the hopes that he could become a lockdown corner? Or, does he go with Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward, who has more experience than Fitzpatrick at the position?<\/p>\n
Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles want to build an elite secondary and taking Ward would be the next step in doing so. Fitzpatrick is the best defensive back in this year’s draft but unfortunately for the Jets, he’s s safety and New York definitely doesn’t need one of those after taking Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye in last year’s draft.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Buccaneers wind up with a steal at No. 7, as the versatile Fitzpatrick falls into their laps. Fitzpatrick can do it all and comes into the NFL in the mold of Jacksonville Jaguars star Jalen Ramsey. While Ramsey has successfully made the transition to cornerback, Fitzpatrick likely stays at safety unless the Bucs have a need for a corner.<\/p>\n
Either way, Tampa Bay winds up with a Day 1 starter in the secondary.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
8. Chicago Bears<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame<\/strong><\/p>\nIn any other draft, Nelson is a sure-fire top-five pick. However, like Fitzpatrick, he slips a bit due to the onslaught of quarterbacks taken in the top-five. The Bears are the benefactors of this, as they get the offensive lineman they need as they continue to build around second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
9. San Francisco 49ers<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Niners need help in the secondary, but taking any defensive back not named Denzel Ward or Minakh Fitzpatrick at this point would be a major reach. That leaves general manager John Lynch with a choice between LSU pass-rusher Arden Key and Edmunds. Key has a higher ceiling, but comes with off the field baggage, something Lynch would want to avoid given the recent problems with Rueben Foster.<\/p>\n
Edmunds is only 19 and has a high ceiling in his own right, as he dominated at Virginia Tech last season.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
10. Oakland Raiders<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia<\/strong><\/p>\nThe leader of Georgia’s defense last season, Smith has rare athleticism for an inside linebacker, flying from sideline to sideline with the speed of a defensive back. Smith can also get the job done rushing the passer and dropping into coverage, making him a key pick for an Oakland defense that could use some help on the defensive side of the ball.<\/p>\n
An offensive pick here would be the splashy pick, as Jon Gruden is now running the show. However, Gruden is wiser than that and will use free agency to address any offensive needs, leaving him with the chance to take Smith at No. 10.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
11. Miami Dolphins<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Derrius Giuce, RB, LSU<\/strong><\/p>\nIs Ryan Tannehill the guy for Dolphins head coach Adam Gase? The direction that Miami goes with this pick will tell that tale. The Dolphins have already invested so much money in Tannehill, meaning he probably gets one more year to prove that he can be Miami’s franchise quarterback. In order for Tannehill to succeed, he’ll need a running game, and Guice could be the guy to provide a spark out of the backfield.<\/p>\n
Kenyan Drake is a solid runner, but the electric Guice has game-breaking ability. He has flown under the radar a bit after sharing a backfield with Leonard Fournette for the majority of his college career, but Guice is a talented back in his own right and has top 15 talent.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
12. Cincinnati Bengals<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Connor Williams, OT, Texas<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Cincinnati offensive line desperately needs to be overhauled and taking the best tackle in this year’s draft would certainly be a step in the right direction. Once viewed as the top offensive lineman in this class, Williams took a step back in 2017, mostly due to injury. However, upon further review of his film, Williams possesses the athleticism and pass-blocking skills to be a day-one starter on the line for the Bengals.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
13. Washington Redskins<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Da’Ron Payne, DL, Alabama<\/strong><\/p>\nWhy not make it two Alabama defensive linemen in a row for the Redskins? Bruce Allen took Jonathan Allen in last year’s draft and that pick paid off, as Allen has the makings of a future all-pro player. Like Allen, Payne can line up all over the defensive line and can create matchup nightmares for interior linemen with his size and quickness.<\/p>\n
With the acquisition of Alex Smith, the Redskins no longer need a quarterback, meaning they should go with the best player available at No. 13. That player will likely be Payne and Allen should not hesitate to add another valuable piece to Washington’s defense.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
14. Green Bay Packers<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Arden Key, DE\/LB, LSU<\/strong><\/p>\nKey comes with plenty of off the field red flags, but his talent as a pass rusher is undeniable. After walking away from LSU for a short time last summer, scouts have questioned Key’s love for the game. However, a solid senior year, along with Key working individually with pass rushing coaches, have quieted those concerns.<\/p>\n
Similar to former LSU linebacker Barkevious Mingo, Key uses his speed and size off the edge to blow by opposing tackles en route to the quarterback. He is smart at the line of scrimmage and knows how to shed blocks in an efficient manner.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
15. Arizona Cardinals<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming<\/strong><\/p>\nSomehow, someway, the Arizona Cardinals get the quarterback they desperately need. In reality, there’s almost no way Allen falls into Arizona’s lap at No. 15, as some team would likely trade into the top 10 to draft him. However, in this mock, there are no trades, meaning the Cardinals wind up with their quarterback of the future.<\/p>\n
Allen is a developmental prospect and likely won’t be ready to start come Week 1 in 2018, but a year on the bench to learn and refine his mechanics could do him some good.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
16. Baltimore Ravens<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU<\/strong><\/p>\nAlabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley would be an interesting pick here but in the end, Baltimore elects to go with the big-bodied Sutton. Unlike Breshad Perriman, Sutton is a legitimate red zone threat who can win almost any jump ball. The only concern with Sutton is his ability to separate at the line of scrimmage and run with faster corners in coverage.<\/p>\n
However, QB Joe Flacco needs a weapon in the red zone and Sutton is essentially exactly what the Ravens need in that regard.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
17. Los Angeles Chargers<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Derwin James, S, Florida State<\/strong><\/p>\nOnce upon a time, James was viewed as the best defensive back in this class and a potential top-five pick. James still has that talent, but slides a bit with so many quarterbacks going off the board early and fellow defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick and Denzel Ward jumping James in the pecking order.<\/p>\n
The Chargers are an excellent fit for James, who thrives as a centerfielder over the top. With pass rushers like Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram getting to opposing quarterbacks up front, James can zone in on his assignment and lock down opposing receivers as he did in his time at FSU.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
18. Seattle Seahawks<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa<\/strong><\/p>\nDesmond King got a lot of the press coming out of Iowa’s secondary a year ago, but it was fellow cornerback Josh Jackson who was the star of the Hawkeyes’ defense. A top 10 talent, Jackson could be a key cog in Seattle’s secondary revamp, as the days of the Legion of Boom are coming to an end.<\/p>\n
Jackson is exactly what head coach Pete Carroll is looking for in a corner, as he has the length to jam receivers at the line and speed to turn and run with receivers in coverage.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
19. Dallas Cowboys<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Marcus Davenport, LB, UTSA<\/strong><\/p>\nAssuming DeMarcus Lawrence doesn’t re-sign Davenport would be a steal for the Cowboys at No. 19. Davenport’s stock has been going through the roof recently thanks to a strong showing at the senior bowl and freak athleticism for an edge rusher. Some have even projected Davenport to be a top 10 pick, making this a solid value selection for the Cowboys if Lawrence departs in free agency.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
20. Detroit Lions<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Vita Vea, DT, Washington<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Lions are run by former New England Patriots executive Bob Quinn and ironically, Vea has a lot of Vince Wilfork in him. Vea is a physical specimen at 6-foot-3, 334 pounds and has the agility and lateral quickness to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines. He is a space eater in the middle and that should appeal to Quinn as he looks to replace an aging Haloti Ngata.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
21. Buffalo Bills<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Billy Price, C, Ohio State<\/strong><\/p>\nWith the sudden retirement of pro bowl center Eric Wood a month ago, this selection is a no-brainer for Buffalo. Price would step in and start from day one at center, as he gained a solid grasp of how to run an offensive line while playing for Urban Meyer at Ohio State. Price’s football IQ matches his physical traits, as he is a standout run and pass blocker up the middle.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
22. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City)<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Bills have the luxury of having back-to-back picks and the question remains, what will they do with the second pick? As long as Price is on the board, he will almost certainly be Buffalo’s selection at No. 21. The Bills could also use some help up the middle on defense, making Evans a perfect fit.<\/p>\n
Unlike Evans’ former teammate Reggie Ragland who was traded away last year, Evans fits in Buffalo’s defense as an athletic inside linebacker who has the toughness along with the quickness to make plays both inside and outside of the hashes.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
23. Los Angeles Rams<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado<\/strong><\/p>\nLike the Price to Buffalo pick, Oliver to the Rams is a no-brainer as well.<\/p>\n
Oliver has the size and length to be a solid starter for the Rams for many years and while he might not be as talented as Fitzpatrick or Ward, he is a smart, steady player who does his job on a daily basis.<\/p>\n
With Trumaine Johnson set to depart in free agency, Oliver could be the guy to step in and anchor the Los Angeles secondary for years to come.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
24. Carolina Panthers<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama<\/strong><\/p>\nCam Newton needs weapons and while he has a bunch of speedy wide receivers in the likes of Curtis Samuel, he doesn’t have many solid route runners.<\/p>\n
That is where Alabama’s Calvin Ridley comes into play, as he is the best of both worlds for Carolina’s offense. He might be one of the older wide receivers in this year’s class, but he has the skills to be a major weapon for Newton out wide while he is in his prime.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
25. Tennessee Titans<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Harold Landry,DE\/OLB, Boston College<\/strong><\/p>\nIn other years, Landry would likely be a top 15 selection. However, with this year’s draft being so quarterback-heavy in the early part of the first round, the talented edge rusher from Boston College falls into a pretty good situation in Tennessee.<\/p>\n
Newly hired head coach Mike Vrabel is more than familiar with the Boston College program and that familiarity should give him some comfort in selecting a talented pass rusher like Landry with his first pick as a head coach.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
26. Atlanta Falcons<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia<\/strong><\/p>\nAfter playing tackle for Georgia last year, Wynn will slide inside to guard and by doing so, he will get the chance to stay close to home and play for the Falcons.<\/p>\n
Wynn is the type of guy who can set the tone for a whole offensive line, as his leadership skills and intangibles are off the charts. Throw in the fact that Wynn would have the chance to play for his hometown team and this is the perfect fit for both sides.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
27. New Orleans Saints<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas<\/strong><\/p>\nIt’s hard to predict what New Orleans will do in the draft, as their draft plans likely hinge on what happens in free agency. While there will be a need in the secondary if Kenny Vaccaro departs, an immediate need that the Saints should focus on is up the middle at linebacker.<\/p>\n
Enter Jefferson, who fits the mold as the anchor of New Orleans’ defense if Sean Payton decides to go in that direction. Jefferson’s film is impressive and his agility is off the charts, making him an athletic backer that the Saints can rely on.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
28. Pittsburgh Steelers<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville<\/strong><\/p>\nA lockdown corner for Louisville as a junior, Alexander’s senior year was one plagued by injuries, leading to a drop in his draft stock.<\/p>\n
Once the combine rolls around, Alexander will have the chance to showcase his first round talent and while he won’t go in the middle of the first round as he was once projected, he will have the chance to play for a contender right away if the Steelers decide to take him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
29. Jacksonville Jaguars<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame<\/strong><\/p>\nIn terms of leadership, it doesn’t get much better than McGlinchey. A captain at one of the most historic college football programs for two years, McGlinchey would bring instant credibility to a Jacksonville offensive line that could use some help despite a solid showing in their run to the AFC Championship game.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
30. Minnesota Vikings<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Maurice Hurst, DL Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Vikings might need a quarterback heading into 2018, but that depends on what Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater do in free agency. For now, we’ll focus on another immediate need, as the Vikings are going to have some holes to fill at defensive tackle with Shariff Floyd unlikely to return.<\/p>\n
Enter Hurst, who slides a little due to a lack of need on the defensive line among the teams picking in the middle portion of the first round. His first step off the line is something any D-line coach dreams of and he would improve an already dominant defense.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
31. New England Patriots<\/h4>\n
The Pick: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State<\/strong><\/p>\nGo figure, the New England Patriots get a steal at No. 31. Hubbard is a versatile end who is just as good as rushing the passer as he is in run support. He’d fit perfectly in Bill Belichick’s defense and would likely contribute from day one.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
32. Philadelphia Eagles<\/h4>\n
The Pick: <\/strong>Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State<\/strong><\/p>\nLike New England, the Eagles wind up with a potential plug-and-play option with the last pick of the first round.<\/p>\n
Vander Esch had the option to stay at Boise State for his senior year and raise his stock, but opted to enter the draft, as his athleticism plays at the pro level. He might be a bit of a reach in the first-round, but he could be a reach that pays off in the end.<\/p>\n
Tyler Calvaruso can be reached at tyler.calvaruso@student.shu.edu or on Twitter @tyler_calvaruso.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With the Super Bowl in the books, it is officially NFL Draft season. Draft season means a ridiculous amount of mock drafts coming out from all sorts of publications, with some being more realistic than others. In the spirit of the offseason, Hall Pass decided to chime in with a mock draft of its own,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4136,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[74,95,94,91,92,93],"class_list":["post-268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nfl","tag-cleveland-browns","tag-indianapolis-colts","tag-new-york-giants","tag-nfl","tag-nfl-mock-draft","tag-sam-darnold"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportsreporting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportsreporting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportsreporting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportsreporting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportsreporting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=268"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportsreporting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":326,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportsreporting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268\/revisions\/326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportsreporting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportsreporting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportsreporting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}