Laviska Shenault, No. 40 to Houston |
33. Cincinnati Bengals
Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
There's a chance Zack Baun could sneak into the bottom of the first round but if not, Cincinnati takes him here to improve one of the NFL's worst linebacker corps. Baun is a pretty fascinating character, originally arriving in Madison as a quarterback before making the switch to the defensive side of the ball. He finished 2019 with 12.5 sacks, while earning All-Big Ten distinction.
First Round Selection: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU (#1)
34. Indianapolis Colts
Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Indianapolis would've been in play for a first-round receiver, prior to trading away pick 13 in the DeForest Buckner deal. Instead, they stick firm in the early second and still land quite a stud in Tee Higgins. Higgins has been the most reliable wide out on Clemson the past two seasons, and should immediately be a go-to guy for Phillip Rivers.
First Round Selection: None
35. Detroit Lions
Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Although Austin Jackson isn't at the level of the elite offensive linemen in this class, he's still worthy of a late first, early second round selection. He wasn't super consistent while at USC, but still proved himself as a skilled pass blocker, with the upside to be a long-term starter at left tackle. Detroit used their first selection on defense, meaning they go offense here.
First Round Selection: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State (#3)
36. New York Giants
Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
It's really hard to imagine the Giants leaving the first two rounds without some help on the offensive line. Dave Gettleman chose to go with Isaiah Simmons at pick No. 4 in this edition, meaning they use No. 36 to shore up the line play. Isaiah Wilson was an important component on a really good UGA line, but he doesn't look like a first-rounder.
First Round Selection: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson (#4)
37. Los Angeles Chargers
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Melvin Gordon is officially gone from the Chargers, signing inside the division with Denver. Los Angeles simply replaces the former Badger with another Wisconsin product in the form of Jonathan Taylor. Taylor put up monster numbers in three seasons with UW, then only helped himself out more with a strong Combine showing.
First Round Selection: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon (#6)
38. Carolina Panthers
Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
Although Carolina already addressed their poor rush defense in Round One by taking Derrick Brown, they need a more direct replacement for Luke Kuechly. Jordyn Brooks was highly productive throughout his time in Lubbock, even as he missed time with a shoulder injury in 2019. He doesn't have Kuechly's natural instincts, but is a better athlete.
First Round Selection: Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn (#7)
39. Miami Dolphins
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Miami continues to add young talent with their fourth selection within the first 40 picks. They didn't use any of those first three picks to take a defender, so it only makes sense they work on that side of the ball here. Jaylon Johnson is a physical cornerback that you can leave alone on an island on the perimeter, and also a decent playmaker for his position.
First Round Selection(s): Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama (#5); Josh Jones, OT, Houston (#18); D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia (#26)
40. Houston Texans
Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Bill O'Brien made arguably the worst move of the NFL off-season when he shipped away DeAndre Hopkins. He hopes to make amends for the decision by getting a long-term replacement in the form of Laviska Shenault, a guy who really did it all these last few years for Colorado. Injuries are a valid concern for Shenault, but he has NFL size, and a massive catch radius.
First Round Selection: None
41. Cleveland Browns
Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
Being a Minnesota fan, there is admittedly some bias with my adoration for Antoine Winfield Jr. But, he is the real deal, as a clutch playmaking safety who plays with the same fearlessness as his former Pro Bowl father. Medical concerns are likely to drop him somewhere in Rounds 2-3, allowing the Browns to add another piece to their defensive backfield.
First Round Selection: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia (#10)
42. Jacksonville Jaguars
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
Jacksonville focused on defense in Round One, but they desperately need some more playmakers on offense, no matter what the future holds for running back Leonard Fournette. They recently released former USC wide out Marqise Lee, but have a chance to get a replacement in another former Trojan, Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman had a breakout fall for the Trojans, and his speed and crisp route running are already at NFL levels.
First Round Selection(s): Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina (#9); Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama (#20)
43. Chicago Bears
Shane Lemieux, OG, Oregon
The Bears needed to upgrade the interior of their offensive line even before the retirement of guard Kyle Long. Chicago could possibly trade up into the bottom of the first round to address that need by taking a guy like Cesar Ruiz, but they can still get great value at pick No. 43. Shane Lemieux was an important anchor on Oregon's line these past few years, one of the best in the country.
First Round Selection: None
44. Indianapolis Colts
Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Tight end is an important component of Frank Reich's offense, but the Colts have concerns about the position looking ahead to 2020. Eric Ebron is gone, and while Jack Doyle is solid, Indianapolis could still choose to upgrade the position by taking Notre Dame's Cole Kmet. In a weak TE class, Kmet's good hands and decent blocking make him the top prospect at the position.
First Round Selection: None
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Even with the addition of Tom Brady, Tampa has to address their glaring need at running back. It's unlikely D'Andre Swift will still be available in the mid-second, so they instead go with my favorite back of this cycle, J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins was an absolute beast in 2019, and his pass-catching skills could complement Brady nicely.
First Round Selection: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama (#14)
46. Denver Broncos
Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
Offensive line has been a sore spot for a few years in Denver, and that was before their starting center, Connor McGovern, signed with the New York Jets. The Broncos get his long-term replacement in the form of Lloyd Cushenberry, who anchored an LSU group that won the Joe Moore Award (best offensive line unit in the country).
First Round Selection: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama (#15)
47. Atlanta Falcons
Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn
Atlanta addressed their greatest need in Round One by taking C.J. Henderson, but they must continue to round out their defense moving forward. Pass rusher has long been a concern for the Falcons, and that was before Vic Beasley left. They end up going with Marlon Davidson here, a guy who could certainly sneak into the back-end of the first.
First Round Selection: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida (#16)
48. New York Jets
K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
The Jets will continue to surround Sam Darnold with weapons on Day Two, after getting some offensive line help in the first round. They'd love if a receiver like Tee Higgins were to drop to them, but K.J. Hamler is a fine consolation. He is just 5'9", but his speed and playmaking will make him a valuable pickup for any NFL team.
First Round Selection: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville (#11)
49. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
Ross Blacklock is a first-round talent, but there's also a chance an interior D-Linemen like himself could fall a little bit. If that does indeed happen, Pittsburgh takes him on, even if they have a more obvious need at running back. Blacklock isn't going to be an elite pass rusher, but he's incredibly valuable in run support.
First Round Selection: None
50. Chicago Bears
Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
The Chicago quarterback room is at a crossroads looking ahead to 2020. Mitchell Trubisky was really bad in 2019, and the Bears decided to trade for Nick Foles. It'd be hard to give up on Trubisky considering what the Bears gave up to get him, but the arrival of Foles seems to indicate a certain level of dissatisfaction with the former No. 2 overall pick. If Jacob Eason is available still at 50, Chicago might fall in love with his arm talent.
First Round Selection: None
51. Dallas Cowboys
Curtis Weaver, DE/LB, Boise State
The last two Boise State defenders the Cowboys have drafted have worked out pretty well, in the form of two-time Pro Bowler Demarcus Lawrence and one-time Pro Bowler Leighton Vander Esch. Dallas continues to carve out their BSU pipeline by adding Curtis Weaver, who has a very wide range on where he could fall in this Draft.
First Round Selection: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama (#17)
52. Los Angeles Rams
Terrell Lewis, DE/LB, Alabama
It's never a negative to have too many pass rushers, especially for a Rams team that will be without Dante Fowler and Clay Matthews off the edge. Terrell Lewis doesn't have the upside of former Alabama pass rushers, but he had some really dominant moments with the Tide, and is worth a mid to late second rounder.
First Rounder: None
53. Philadelphia Eagles
Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
Even though he played at an FCS program, Jeremy Chinn has been quietly rising up draft boards over the last month. He's got ideal size (6'3") for the safety position, and also proved his worth as a playmaker, with four interceptions in 2019. Philadelphia could use some further help in their secondary, making this selection clear.
First Round Selection: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU (#21)
54. Buffalo Bills
Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
Buffalo got Josh Allen some much needed help already this off-season when they brought in Stefon Diggs from Minnesota, but the next focus has to be the offensive line. It isn't a dreadful group, but it could use an infusion of young talent. Ezra Cleveland certainly could go much higher than this because of his elite athleticism, but Buffalo would be just fine if he was still around at 54.
First Round Selection: None
55. Baltimore Ravens
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Mark Ingram has been a dependable back these past few years for Baltimore, but he's nearing the end of his time as an every-down option. Baltimore could get a replacement in the form of Edwards-Helaire, who plays with a similar style to that of Ingram. Edwards-Helaire is also an adept pass-catcher out of the backfield, adding another element to this offense.
First Round Selection: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
56. Miami Dolphins
Solomon Kindley, OG, Georgia
Even though they did already add Josh Jones in Round One, Miami has to continue to build the O-Line. It was probably the NFL's worst in 2019, and if they do indeed get Tua, he will need to stay upright. Kindley is the third UGA O-Linemen off the board, and well he isn't at the level of Andrew Thomas or Isaiah Wilson, he should be able to open up running lanes.
First Round Selection(s): Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama (#5); Josh Jones, OT, Houston (#18); D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia (#26)
57. Los Angeles Rams
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
After posting great offenses in the early Sean McVay years, the Rams didn't have very much explosiveness at all in 2019. They desperately need to add some more playmakers, particularly with Brandin Cooks now in Houston. Brandon Aiyuk could slip a little depending on what happens with the receiver class, making his way to LA in the late second.
First Round Selection: None
58. Minnesota Vikings
Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
Minnesota probably made the right decision by moving on from Linval Joseph at nose tackle, as he was past his prime. That doesn't mean his absence won't be felt by the organization, incentivizing them to look at interior D-Line here. Neville Gallimore was solid in his time with the Sooners, and could be a more effective pass rusher than Joseph.
First Round Selection(s): Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU (#22); Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU (#25)
59. Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Biadasz, OL, Wisconsin
I mentioned in my first round mock how Seattle needs to upgrade their offensive line, but they ended up going with the best player available in K'Lavon Chaisson. They instead address the O-Line here, and Tyler Biadasz is a fine pickup. He continues the long tradition of Badger blockers making the jump to the pros.
First Round Selection: K'Lavon Chaisson, DE/LB, LSU (#27)
60. Baltimore Ravens
Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
The Ravens don't have a lot of needs to address further at this spot, so it's always a good bet to go offensive line in these cases. Lucas Niang was sometimes inconsistent in his time at TCU, but if he can develop more consistency, he has the talent to be a real force.
First Round Selection: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma (#28)
61. Tennessee Titans
Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
Delanie Walker was among the better tight ends in the league during his tenure with Tennessee, but after playing just eight games the last two years, the Titans are moving on. Even in a weak tight end year, it would still make sense to get a replacement for Walker within the first few rounds, and Harrison Bryant is the safest option in my opinion. He was incredibly reliable for Florida Atlantic, and doesn't have the medical concerns that have plagued other TEs in this class.
First Round Selection: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State (#29)
62. Green Bay Packers
Julian Okwara, DE, Notre Dame
I've seen anything from quarterback to offensive line to secondary mocked for the Packers in Round Two. Perhaps Jalen Hurts is an option here, but Green Bay could get an immediate impact player in the form of Julian Okwara. He ranked sixth in FBS football with 61 quarterback pressures, and consistently outclassed future NFL offensive linemen. He's well worth a pick this late in the second.
First Round Selection: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor (#30)
63. Kansas City Chiefs
Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
In my previous mock, I had Kansas City taking a running back in the first round, but they have more pressing needs to address first. Instead, the reigning champs pick up a new backfield mate for Patrick Mahomes in the second. Cam Akers ran behind a terrible O-Line while at Florida State, and still put up numbers. He could add yet another dangerous element to this KC attack.
First Round Selection: Grant Delpit, S, LSU (#32)
64. Seattle Seahawks
Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
Seattle's never going to completely recreate the "Legion of Boom" secondaries of the early 2010's, but they still need a respectable back-end to compete with the rest of the NFC's elite. Damon Arnette got picked on a little bit in 2019 because teams were so scared to throw at Jeffrey Okudah, but he's still an NFL talent. There's still a chance he could sneak into the bottom of the first, but somewhere in Round Two seems more his range.
First Round Selection: K'Lavon Chaisson, DE/LB, LSU (#27)
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