If you can’t tell, I like football. Like, I really like football. So, with football being done for two months, I’m starting to get withdrawal symptoms. (I’m shaking as I type this.) Since I’ve already done some fantasy picks, I’ll try and do something more official. This will be my very rough, and likely very wrong, mock draft. We’ll start with the first five picks and see if they make any sense. One quick note, unless I have a very compelling reason to do so, I won’t account for trades. This will certainly make this wrong, but trades are often as unpredictable as anything. Here goes nothing.
Pick 1: Tennessee Titans.
Laremy Tunsil, OT
It is my belief that you win and die by your lines, both offensive and defensive. A good offensive line is tough to come by and the Titans can, at least in theory, get a very good start at just that. Tennessee already has Taylor Lewan, who was the best part about a very bad offensive line. He was the 12th best tackle in the League last year. For a team that finished 25th in run-production, a run blocking specialist, which is what Tunsil is, there will be a boost. This is accelerated with the addition of Demarco Murray. A more consistent run game also lessens the load of your franchise quarterback.
Pick 2: Celeveland Browns.
Carson Wentz, QB
This may not be a popular opinion, but I don’t like the over emphasis on quarterbacks. Sure, like everyone else, I love great quarterback play, but I don’t feel like it’s the end-all-be-all of a winning team. A great quarterback can play for terrible team and never be heard from again, just imagine where David Carr could be if he wasn’t on the ground most of the time. But I also believe that Cleveland is an exception to this. They’re so desperate for anything, they’ll take who they think is the best quarterback available with this pick. Wentz has had the most buzz to his name, even if he is a D-II school. Hopefully for the Browns, his college success will translate to the NFL.
Pick 3: San Diego Chargers.
Joey Bosa, DE
This may be a critical moment in the Chargers’ history. The team is looking for a new home in the future, and a losing team certainly won’t help bring in the cities. For the present, the San Diego offense is good to go for the most part. Or, at least it acted that way last year, so we can only hope that they’ll do the same next year. What would help is some defense, especially with some pass rush. Like I said, you live and die by your lines, and the Chargers ranked 24th in sacks. Bringing in the best college pass rusher should certainly be an improvement. Plus, getting to the quarterback quicker allows more panicked throws, and more interceptions.
Pick 4: Dallas Cowboys.
Jalen Ramsey, DB
How 'bout them Cowboys? Well, they certainly aren’t that noteworthy at the moment, but a good draft stash will certainly do a lot to change that. Actually, the thing that would help the most would be a healthy Tony Romo, but still, what could possibly be an improvement of 12-4 team from two years ago would be a good defense. The first step came last year with the drafting of Byron Jones, a versatile defensive back. Dallas will look to replicate that formula here with another position-changing secondary youngling. These two will look to grow together and improve this defensive unit.
Pick 5: Jacksonville Jaguars.
Myles Jack, LB
I’ve already said I like Vernon Hargreaves, who is still available, but the Jags seem more interested in improving their front seven rather than their secondary. Jack, even though he is coming off an injury, has the upside to justify this pick. He really is a Jack of all trades (get it?). Not only can he do multiple capabilities of a linebacker, he also played some snaps at running back. This person can do it all, and the up-and-coming Jacksonville offense needs a defense that can help keep points off the board.
