It’s a weird time of the year for NFL teams. The Super Bowl occurred at the beginning of February. A new league year is right around the corner, but until then, not much is happening the football world. So, it’s Mock Draft Time in the NFL.
Every proclaimed “draft expert” is throwing their hat into the ring and trying to predict something that’s impossible to see coming. That being said, it’s time for me to throw my hat in the ring.
Well, I won’t be doing a full mock draft, but a list of a few prospects I want to see end up with certain teams. This means that I don’t necessarily have to account for if that player will be on the board still or not. And this is by no means a perfect list, but here goes nothing.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Pick 5
Player: Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
Jacksonville is set on offense already. They broke the bank to sign tight end Julius Thomas last year, complementing him to the young core of Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, and Blake Bortles. The only thing they’re thin on is offensive line, but they may turn to free agency or later rounds to address those needs. The Jaguars had a tough year on the defensive side of the ball, and will already be at an upgrade when their first round pick from last year, Dante Fowler, returns from a torn ACL. However, the Jags have a big need at corner. The team’s coach was the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks, and we all know what made Seattle so special: their secondary. No one on Jacksonville’s roster is even close to that type of production, except for maybe Jonathon Cyprien. Cyprien is a box safety, so he’ll help more in the run game than in coverage. Hargreaves will be a good first step in the positive direction.
Probability he’ll still be on the board: Likely. This all depends on how Jacksonville views the corner. The team picks high enough that he’ll more than likely not have been called by another team by then. If they don’t like Hargreaves, Florida defensive back Jalen Ramsey is also on option.
Buffalo Bills: Pick 19
Player: Shaq Lawson, Clemson
Buffalo had an up-and-don season last year. And there seems to have been an ultimatum offered to the team’s GM and head coach: playoffs or you’re outta here. Everyone knows that Rex Ryan is a defensive minded coach, so this will be the focus of a team that slid down in rankings last year. The team released Mario Williams, so there’s a need on the defensive line. Buffalo is already strapped for cap space, so a free agent signing isn’t likely. Lawson could come in at a cheap price and do an amiable job. The season before last, the Bills’ defensive line was absolutely dominant. If they can regain that form, it would allow Lawson to still perform well while still producing a lot of pressure on the opposing quarterback. This is especially nice when the opposing quarterback is Tom Brady twice a year.
Probability he’ll still be on the board: Mixed. If he’s still available when Buffalo’s clock starts to tick down, it’ll be tough to overlook him. But experts don’t know exactly where he can end up going.
Dallas Cowboys: Pick 4
Player: Best available defensive player
There’s speculation that Dallas will use this pick on the heir to Tony Romo. In theory, that sounds like a good pick. Two seasons ago, with a healthy Romo, the team went 12-4 and won a playoff game. With an injured Romo last year, Dallas landed the number 4 pick. If Romo can regain his form, who knows where Dallas can go. But this team has a lot of holes, so they should use it on someone who’ll have an immediate impact. The Cowboys defense is far from perfect, so getting a high quality player on that side certainly can’t hurt. Based on how the first three picks go, there’s a lot of great prospects who could be available. Joey Bosa is conceivably still there, and he’s arguably the best player in the draft. Myles Jack would probably still be available, especially with the injury he suffered last season. Jalen Ramsey may not have his name called at this point. Dallas shouldn’t worry about the future without Romo just yet, and focus their backup quarterback anomaly into a veteran free agent or trade.
Probability he’ll still be on the board: Extremely likely. There are two things stopping this from certainly happening: 1. nobody knows what direction Tennessee will go with the number one pick. Plus, trades are a possibility for the first three picks. 2. Nobody can predict Jerry Jones. He probably won’t have the last say, but it’s tougher to turn down the owner than you think.
