By Rich Aitchison
1) Cleveland Browns- Myles Garrett DE/ Texas A&M: Garrett has been a polarizing name all offseason, while he has at times been dominant to many times he has been non-existent in games. He’s definitely a first round talent and probably the most talented player in draft, however talent only takes you so far in this league. He will help the Browns, but really who wouldn’t?
2) San Francisco 49ers- Jamal Adams S/LSU: In a draft loaded with talent in the secondary Adams is the best. I also believe he’s the best player in the draft overall. He’s a game changer that can play both in the box and deep (although he thrives playing in the box). A team leader he can be a culture changer and that is exactly what the 49ers need.
3) Chicago Bears- Jonathan Allen DT/Alabama: Allen shoulders have been a big question all offseason and that might be a legit concern. However, when this kid was a dominant player vs the pass and rush for Alabama. Should have an immediate impact for a Bears team that needs upgrades everywhere.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars- Malik Hooker S/Ohio St: We will be having the Hooker vs Adams debate for years and I while I believe Adams is slightly better it’s not by much. Hooker is a safety like Earl Thomas, will play deep and make a play on the ball. Makes game changing plays and often looks like the best player on the field one team loaded with 1st round talent.
5) Tennessee Titans- OJ Howard TE/Alabama: Might be the safest pick in the draft. Howard is a stud that can block and make plays all over the field. If you can’t use this guy you better look for a new offensive Coordinator. Adding him to an already up and coming roster will be a huge addition.
6) New York Jets- Solomon Thomas DT/Stanford: Thomas could go has high as #2 overall. An impact player at Stanford I believe he is a bit undersized. More of a rotational player and hard worker than pure talent. Not sure he will have a great impact, but might play for 8-10 years and carve out a role for himself.
7) Los Angles Chargers- Hassan Reddick OLB/Temple: An interesting prospect that has really risen up draft boards. He’s a former safety playing LB and should be a great coverage guy vs. spread offenses. However in the NFL you can’t hide and player and I believe Reddick will be attacked in the run game. He won’t be able to set the edge and I believe will work into a passing down linebacker than can thrive on special teams.
8) Carolina Panthers- Christian McCaffery RB/Stanford: The do it all back is a legit game changer on offense. He’s just as good as a Slot as he is a back. Defenses need to identify him on the field and he’s also a plus punt/kicker returner. Will impact a team like Tyreek Hill last year. Panthers need a player like this very badly.
9) Cincinnati Bengals- Marshon Lattimore CB/Ohio St: The speedy Ohio St corner can matchup with almost any WR already in the NFL. However, strength issues and hamstring issues give him questions. Might be best athlete in the draft, but staying on the field and help in the run game are major questions.
10) Buffalo Bills- Mike Williams WR/Clemson: Has not been talked about much this offseason, but he’s the best WR in the draft. A big physical WR that can also stretch the field. Makes great plays on the ball and can always come up with jump balls. Simply just watch the national title game and his matchup with Alabama secondary and that will tell you all you need to know about this kid.
11) New Orleans Saints- Marlon Humphrey CB/Alabama: A physical CB that is a great athlete as well. With that said he can give up some big plays. Better in a press zone or man vs bigger WRs. Will give up deep ball, needs work on feet. Talented but staff will need to work with him to improve his game.
12) Cleveland Browns- Mitch Trubisky QB/UNC: The first QB off the board. The Browns have been thinking about him at 1, but land him at 12. This is not an elite QB draft, but even then it should be Watson going as the 1st QB. This looks to be another major mistake by the Browns, as I believe Tribusky tops out as a low-end starter. A one year starter that couldn’t win the job for his first two seasons. I don’t understand the hype and believe he’s a 4th-5th round developmental type.
13) Arizona Cardinals- Rueben Foster LB/Alabama: Foster has had a rough offseason. Getting thrown out of the combine and the diluted drug sample hasn’t helped, but this kid is a stud. Plays the game angry and violent. A leader of a defense, plays down hill but developed into a great coverage game his last year. Plays sideline to sideline. Instant impact and All-pro type.
14) Philadelphia Eagles- Leonard Fornette RB/LSU: He has been NFL ready since his freshman year, however work load and injuries can be scary with him. A physical freak that will help a team right away. Not a great pass catcher or pass blocker and won’t impact the game like other backs can. Maybe a shorter career (physical running style) this is an old school back that I think you can find good running backs later in this draft and take another need earlier.
15) Indianapolis Colts- Derek Barnett DE/Tennessee: The most productive Edge player in the SEC, yes even more than top pick Garrett. Plays hard and aggressive with great hands. Should be an instant starter and contribute right away. A solid safe pick.
16) Baltimore Ravens- Corey Davis WR/Western Michigan: A four-year stud for Western Michigan and TD machine. Was a stud in the bowl game vs Wisconsin and is very competitive. Should be a great red zone target. Not sure will ever be a true #1 WR, but should always be productive.
17) Washington Redskins- Jarred Davis LB/Florida: Davis worked his way from special team stud to game changing LB. Was the leader of a great Florida defense. Known for his work ethic and character he’s also a physical freak and aggressive to the ball. Will be a special teams ace right away and improve into a cornerstone at LB for years.
18) Tennessee Titans- John Ross WR/Washington: Everyone has talked about his 4.22 40 time and while it is impressive he’s much more than just a combine stud. Ross was a scoring machine at Washington and is a legit route runner. Needs to get more physical, but if the Titans add him and OJ Howard in this draft they just got a whole lot of better.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Dalvin Cook RB/Florida St: Dalvin Cook has been free falling all offseason long. It is simple though, Cook is always the best player on the field. Even on those championship FSU teams Cook was the best player. He’s a do it all back that is extremely competitive. Yes you can find backs later in the draft, but if your taking one early this is the game. A game changer like Elliot last year and maybe even better.
20) Denver Broncos- Ryan Ramcykz OT/Wisconsin: Overall a weak O line class, Ramcyzk is a one year DI starter after a great career in DIII. He was Wisconsin’s best lineman and is athletic. Denver needs help up front and he’s a plug and play guy. Will help upfront, but wouldn’t consider him a game changer up front.
21) Detroit Lions- Jabril Peppers S/Michigan: Defensive coordinators will find a position for this kid to play. He is a playmaker that can do it all. Watch the game film!! He’s Michigan’s best defensive player and that is saying something with all the guys that will be drafted this weekend.
22) Miami Dolphins- Cam Robinson OT/Alabama: A highly touted recruit coming out of high school Robinson was a starter from day one at Alabama. He’s big and aggressive, but might be more of a RT or guard. Dolphins need to continue to build up the line and Robinson is a big body that can help. Again needs time to develop more and might have problems with any type of speed rusher.
23) New York Giants- Forest Lamp OT/Western Kentucky: Lamp is my favorite Offensive lineman in the draft. He’s able to play tackle, guard if center and can handle his own at all 3. Will help the Giants up front from day one and could sneakily be a Pro Bowler early in his career. Has most upside of the weak OL class.
24) Oakland Raiders- David Njoku TE/Miami: An absolute physical freak. Game changing ability at TE. Not just a workout warrior, was often best player on field for Miami. Would be a big weapon for Carr and the raiders and just add another explosive weapon to an already top offense. A mix of former hurricanes Jimmy Graham and Greg Olsen.
25) Houston Texans- Patrick Mahomes QB/Texas Tech: Its simple the Texans need a QB. Is Mahomes the right guy? Opinion has been all over the place for him. Big arm and big numbers, Mahomes plays with swagger and loves taking chances. Will need time to sit and learn, but do Texans have a veteran to play in front?
26) Seattle Seahawks- Charles Harris DE/Missouri: Harris seems like a great fit in Seattle, they need to add to their pass rush and Harris is fast and explosive. Seattle is at its best when it’s fast and physical and Harris gives them that. Will never be great against the run, but Seattle doesn’t ask their edge rushers to do that.
27) Kansas City Chiefs- Deshaun Watson QB/Clemson: This would be the perfect landing spot for Watson. He could sit and learn from Smith and Reid and take over in a year or two and become a stud. He’s the best QB in the draft and the only one with elite upside. He elevated the Clemson program and is a pure “winner”. Makes big plays and shows great toughness. Needs to improve decision making and reads. Great arm and running ability, the ultimate team leader.
28) Dallas Cowboys- Tradevious White CB/LSU: he was a 4 year starter at LSU and a 5 star high school recruit. A straight cover corner that can play inside or outside. Will always struggle in the run game and won’t be great vs physical WRs. However, should be great in the special teams department and at least a nickel corner. Best playing man vs speed weapons.
29) Green Bay Packers- Zach Cunningham LB/Vanderbilt: A 3 down linebacker in the SEC and an all American. He was all over the field for Vanderbilt and plays sideline to sideline. Not as good as Foster from Bama, but not to far behind either. Didn’t play on a great defense and he excelled. Will instantly help any defense and be a 8-10 year starter.
30) Pittsburgh Steelers- Adoree Jackson CB/USC: He has been the forgotten man this offseason. He is a great athlete that use to be a 2 way player for USC. He can get beat deep occasionally, but he’s a ball hawk on defense. Will probably be an early star from this draft, as he will find a way to score a defensive and special team TD.
31) Atalanta Falcons- Takkarist McKinley DE/UCLA: This man simply never stops on the field. High motor player that never takes a snap off. Not most athletic player, but makes up for it with effort and football awareness. Will take time to adjust to speed of game but should be a long-term player for a team. Maybe late season starter or a year 2 jump from this guy.
32) New Orleans Saints- (Jets trade) Deshaun Kizer QB/Norte Dame: while I am sure there will be trades in This draft it’s to hard to predict where and when, but I will project this one. Just have that feeling the Jets will grab a QB in the 1st round. Kizer is a big QB with big time talent. Needs lots of work on his game though, he was one of the reasons Notre Dame struggled last year. Looks the part of 1st round QB but doesn’t always play it. We need to ask ourselves when was the last time Jets were able to get best out of QB? Needs to sit and learn and not sure this is good spot for him.
Top 15 Overall Players:
S Jamal Adams
RB Dalvin Cook
DT Jonathan Allen
LB Rueben Foster
TE OJ Howard
S Malik Hooker
WR Mike Williams
TE David Njoku
RB Christian McCaffery
LB Jarred Davis
QB Deshaun Watson
RB Joe Mixon
LB Zach Cunningham
WR Curtis Samuel
S Jabril Peppers
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