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thesportssoundoff · 4 years

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A 2 AM Mock Draft

Alex and I did a mock draft! We’re going to try to do a few of these to break up the usual combat sports monotony and shake things up! Alex for those unaware is the soccer and racing guru who pops in here from time to time (the Soundoff was HIS idea, I just maintain the place). He’s in italics with his picks and I’m plain jane. Because of course I am.

Cincinnati Bengals select QB Joe Burrow, LSU

"and say hello to joe burrow and his heisman. they need a franchise quarterback and he made a ridiculous leap this year in terms of sats and ability. 55 touchdowns and 6 picks will get you the top pick any year."

Washington Redskins select DE Chase Young, Ohio State University If you're drafting top 5, you have a duty and an obligation to draft one of the following four spots; a QB, a DE, an OL or a CB. The Redskins have their QB and so the easiest spot to follow up with is the stud defensive end with Chase Young. He'll combine with the likes of Montez Sweat to give Ron Rivera an immediate pass rushing boost.

Detroit Lions select CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State University "- Hey, hey! I got the Lions. I also get the unfortunate news of declaring that they suck and short of drafting a new GM and organization, they're going to be putrid for years. Darius Slay is a terrific cornerback, but Detroit's secondary couldn't cover a stripper's asscrack. They need an upgrade in the worst way, and they get in when they draft JEFF OKUDAH from Ohio State."

New York Giants select WR Jerry Jeudy, University of Alabama The Giants could certainly use a pass rusher here to cover up their lack of edge help but this needs to be about a young quarterback getting all the weapons possible. Jerry Jeudy is a tremendous big play WR who when put together with a slot ace like Golden Tate, a big TE with Evan Engram and top 5 RB Saquon Barkley creates all of the weaponry possible for a young QB in need of help. The Giants also have a lot of money tied up in their OL which means OT Jedrick Willis isn't a fit here either.

Miami Dolphins select QB Tua #5 - Miami Dolphins "- Lets get interesting now. He's a generational talent, hip injury be damned. In 2019, TUA TAGOVAILOA completed 71 percent of his passes, had almost 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns to 3 interceptions. He's 6 foot 2 inches tall, has genuine size and presence and is consistently looking downfield. Tua is patient, goes through his progressions, accurate and can make every throw. If he's healthy? He should have been first. Now? He'll sit behind Fitzmagic for a year, heal, learn the system and start for the Dolphins in 2021."

San Diego Chargers select QB Justin Herbert, University of Oregon There's a mountain of DL and OL help available for the Chargers but you're picking 6th overall. You don't finish top 10 with QB play and Rivers is clearly on the back nine of his career. Is Herbert perfect? Far from it. That said you're moving into a new stadium, you're in a division where your two main competitors are embracing young fresh QBs and you have the weapons on offense and defense to be able to help a young QB right away. Get to the dance a year early vs a year late and protect your future with Justin Herbert.

Carolina Panthers select DL Derrick Brown, University of Auburn #7 - Carolina Panthers : Derrick Brown, DE, Auburn "- I'm surprised he lasted this long as he had the talent to go Top 5. 6'3 with a great motor and a tons of upside, he could be used as a DT and be a tremendous great interior disruptor if he continues to develop. He has a little bit of Simeon Rice to him and I love him to the Panthers to help shore up that Defensive Line and add some nastiness to their defense beyond their Linebacker core."

Arizona Cardinals select OT Andrew Thomas, University of Georgia There's going to be a ton of interest in one of these awesome WRs but Kyler Murray needs to be kept upright to prosper even more than he has so far. Thomas gives him a buddy cop left tackle who will help him. Protect your investments.

Jacksonville Jaguars select Isaiah Simmons, S/LB, Clemson "- Look, the Linebacking corps is shot with Telvin Smith deciding not to play football and the ghost of Myles Jack's career roaming the sidelines. They need MAJOR help. Simmons is a sideline to sideline defender who hits hard, covers a lot of ground, can play man coverage and cover a running back out of the backfield. Simmons has even matched up with slot receivers this years. His best fit is going to be as a Will linebacker in the NFL, but he's going to be an asset. Think Minkah Fitzpatrick."

Cleveland Browns select OT Jedrick Wills, University of Alabama Cleveland got the QB, the RBs, the star WRs, the pass catching TEs and.....well they forgot the OL. Cam Robinson was a disaster, their interior OL is a mess and despite having a great OL coach, they couldnt protect Mayfield enough to prevent him from seeing metaphorical ghosts. A regime change is going to help but a real change in what the talent level needs to be up front is the biggest hurdle that needs clearing. Jedrick Wills is a blessing at this point in the draft and can play either tackle spot. Again protect your investments.

New York Jets select WR CeeDee Lamb, University of Oklahoma "- Jets need weapons in a bad way and need someone on that team to give him help besides Robbie Anderson. Enter CeeDee Lamb. In a loaded WR class, he is just behind Jerry Jeudy at the top of the heap. He has great hands, is a sharp route runner and is the most polished receiver in the draft class. I'd argue he has better body control than Jeudy, and his RAC ability is elite. The only drawback is his speed. While he is not overly fast though, polished footwork and craftwork allows him to create seperation against DBs."

Oakland Raiders select WR Henry Ruggs, University of Alabama I bet that the Raiders will absolutely positively have conversation about trading up in the draft to grab a QB, using their gamut of picks to play around with getting a Herbert or a Tua. I even considered Jordan Love here or a Javon Kinlaw. In the end, I wonder if the Raiders feel as though no matter who is throwing the ball, they simply can't win on the outside with Tyrell Williams as the lead dog WR. They DID make the move for Antonio Brown which of course backfired. A pure speed stud like Ruggs could open things up for Gruden's offense which already boasts a solid TE and RB combo.

Indianapolis Colts select WR Laviska Shenault, University of Colorado "- Colts have no play-makers beside Hilton and occassionally Mack. Shenault is a stud receiver, who had a down year this year compared to the remarkable 2018 where he brought in 85 receptions on a BAD Colorado team. In short, Shenault made Steven Montez look good. Great speed, physical runner, and has great potential after the catch."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers select FS Grant Delpit, LSU There's a lot of options for Tampa Bay but no perfect fits. Todd Bowles' defense would probably love to have a guy like Delpit who exists to make plays on the ball and basically is your dream free safety or a defensive tackle like a Neville Gallimore or an edge like AJ Epenesa. With all options at their disposal, I think Grant Delpit is cleanest fit. Also of course QB Jordan Love is around too if you want to get nuts.

Denver Broncos select CB Treveon Diggs, University of Alabama "Need a corner to shut down a side of the field. Brings added value as a punt and kick returner. Has excellent speed and athleticism. Broken foot in 2018 that raised some concern, but a solid 2019 saw a return to form."

Atlanta Falcons select DT Javon Kinlaw, University of South Carolina With Grady Jarrett as the star 3-tech for a Seattle Seahawks-y Cover 3 scheme, a 1 technique who can wreak some havoc and take some pressure off of Jarrett, Tak McKinley and a genuinely bad awful secondary would be a big help for Dan Quinn as he fights for his job. Kinlaw is the sort of big bodied with athleticism type of interior presence that Seattle offshoots have needed.

Dallas Cowboys select DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State University "-Taco Charlton is a bust, Robert Quinn isnt a long-term solution, but Demarcus Lawrence gets a running mate. 40 tackles last year with 9.5 sacks after a breakout Sophmore season where he had 8 sacks and 54 tackles. Strong, physical, gets upfield, burgeoning pass rusher and a great run defender. Cowboys get a good one."

Miami Dolphins select DE AJ Epenesa, University of Iowa If you look at the sort of DEs who succeed in a Brian Flores style system, it's guys like AJ Epenesa. Talking big bodied guys who have enough bend to be versatile edge rushers with the size, strength and toughness to win on the interior if need be. Epenesa would be the ultimate chess piece defensive linemen who would give the Dolphins a serious boost upfront and would add culture, grit and skill to a defensive line currently anchored by Charles Harris and Taco Charlton.

Oakland Raiders: selectJordan Love, QB, Utah State "- Lets get fucking weird. Marijuana suspension aside, the Carr experiment is over. Jordan Love is a guy that Gruden would love, with the intangibles, the arm and the ability to make plays. Gruden fell in love with his skillset doppleganger in Josh Allen and this time around, won't let his guy slip. Gruden gets his QB for better or worse."

Jacksonville Jaguars select OT Tristan Wirfs, University of Iowa Wirfs falling this far feels like a stretch BUT he's here and Jacksonville gets to take him! A rock solid all around tackle prospect who will probably not be the same level athlete as Willis or Thomas, Wirfs is your immediate starter at either tackle spot for Jacksonville that's probably full bore into Minshew Mania next year.

Philadelphia Eagles select WR Justin Jefferson, LSU "Alshon Jeffery cant stay healthy, DeSean Jackson is old and Justin Jefferson has a sure set of hands, size, and height. A new number one is needed, and Wentz (if he stay healthy, which I don't believe he can), gets another target."

Buffalo Bills select WR Tee Higgins, University of Clemson To the credit of the Bills, they've built a nice little offense with a lot of smaller quicker pieces like John Brown, Cole Beasley, Isaiah McKenzie and Devin Singletary. It feels like it's time to add some size to the outside as Josh Allen has a big arm and could probably make some magic with a good jump ball WR. Enter Tee Higgins who is acing things as a big bodied clutch target for Clemson.

Patriots select TE Albert Okwuegbunam, University of Missouri "- They havent had a relevant TE since Gronk retired and need someone able to run block as well as haul them in. Gifted. Nice hands, athletic. Fits that system perfect."

New Orleans Saints select CB Kristian Fulton, LSU Somehow Fulton fell to this spot? Okay then. Marshon Lattimore is a stud but the Saints have been trumpeting out dudes like Eli Apple, PJ Williams and Janoris Jenkins opposite him. Fulton fits the size, build, length and playmaking mold of what the Saints want on the outside and when you combine him and Lattimore? There's shutdown duo potential here.

Tennessee Titans select Jaelen Reagor, WR, TCU "Speed demon, and someone to go along with Brown as an actual threat to take the pressure off of Derrick Henry. Big play threat who can take the top off a defense. Grades out similarly to a Will Fuller or Hollywood Brown."

Minnesota Vikings select CB Paulson Adebo, University of Stanford Trae Waynes may be out of Minnesota and the Vikings secondary has struggled to figure out if Xavier Rhodes is in the midst of a brief slump or a full blown decline. Paulson Adebo is solid DB depth; a long lengthy corner who can play press man or off in zone. He can make plays on the ball too and tackles really well so he fits everything Mike Zimmer is going to want in a DB.

Miami Dolphins select RB Johnathan Taylor, University of Wisconsin "Nox hates this pick, because he hates nice things, but the Dolphins need a running back. Like they're leading rusher this year was Ryan Fitzpatrick. Seriously. I'm not even lying. He lead them with 430 yards. Jonathan Taylor will give them a strong, physical back who can carry 20 times a game, eat some carries, get some yards while giving Tua a soft-spot to land in 2021 alongside Devante Parker. See? Thats thinking long-term."

Seattle Seahawks select CB CJ Henderson, University of Florida It's Seattle. They're going to take DEs and DBs in the first round. CJ Henderson is another Cover 3 corner with length, size and the requisite toughness. A bit has been made of a few subpar tackling efforts but I think that's somewhat overstated. Pete Carroll gets another fit for the secondary.

Kansas City Chiefs select Raekwon Davis, DE, Bama "Dominant inside lineman and wouldn't hurt to shore up that defensive line and add depth to a shaky defensive core that needs to get younger."

Green Bay Packers select CB Bryce Hall, University of Virginia The Packers could maybe use another TE to pair up with Jace Sternberger, they could maybe use another WR who could help take some pressure off of Devante Adams, they could maybe use OL help or another DL but I like the idea of Bryce Hall as a potential Kevin King replacement should he not get re-signed after next season. This is now my third straight DB pick but I feel like there's a lot of superb secondary names in this class.

San Francisco 49ers select OT Trey Adams, Washington "Niners grab an understudy for Joe Staley, start him as a guard then move him outside. Standout LT in the Pac 21, kept both Jake Browning and then Jacob Eason upright. Smooth lineman with length and size. Uses his leverage to sustain block. Quick feet and athletic on the edge. Stays healthy? He's a franchise left tackle."

Baltimore Ravens select LB Kenneth Murray, University of Oklahoma Well II mean I know I forgot this guy existed actually. Murray in Baltimore where he can be a somewhat undersized-ish 3-4 ILB who plays at pretty much the speed of light would be a tremendous selection. Good coaches find ways to use elite players and that;s what Murray is and that's how Murray SHOULD be used.

#NFL #Mock Draft #picks

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unclescurvy · 6 years

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2018 NFL PREDICTIONS

These are my predictions for the 2018 season… which is to say, these are my wild guesses about future situations I can’t possibly intuit, yet - by posting them publicly - they’re thoughts I will soon regret for the rest of my life.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills –

Strength: defensive backs

Weakness: quarterback

2018 MVP’s: Kevin Benjamin & Tre’Davious White

Breakout Player: Zay Jones

Hotshot Rookie: Tremaine Edmunds

My prediction last year: 4-12

Record last year: 9-7 (playoffs)

Record this year: 4-12

Miami Dolphins –

Strength: defensive end

Weakness: quarterback

2018 MVP’s: Kenyan Drake & Reshad Jones

Breakout Player: Raekwon McMillan

Hotshot Rookie: Minkah Fitzpatrick

My prediction last year: 7-9

Record last year: 6-10

Record this year: 7-9

New England Patriots –

Strength: quarterback

Weakness: defensive end

2018 MVP’s: Tom Brady & Devin McCourty

Breakout Player: Trent Brown

Hotshot Rookie: Isaiah Wynn

My prediction last year: 13-3 (playoffs)

Record last year: 13-3 (playoffs)

Record this year: 12-4 (playoffs)

New York Jets –

Strength: defensive backs

Weakness: offensive line

2018 MVP’s: Robbie Anderson & Leonard Williams

Breakout Player: Quincy Enunwa

Hotshot Rookie: Sam Darnold

My prediction last year: 2-14

Record last year: 5-11

Record this year: 3-13

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys –

Strength: offensive line

Weakness: defensive backs

2018 MVP’s: Ezekiel Elliott & Sean Lee

Breakout Player: Jaylon Smith

Hotshot Rookie: Michael Gallup

My prediction last year: 9-7 (playoffs)

Record last year: 9-7

Record this year: 8-8

New York Giants –

Strength: defensive line

Weakness: offensive line

2018 MVP’s: Saquon Barkley & Landon Collins

Breakout Player: Sterling Shepard

Hotshot Rookie: Saquon Barkley

My prediction last year: 6-10

Record last year: 3-13

Record this year: 9-7 (playoffs)

Philadelphia Eagles –

Strength: defensive line

Weakness: linebacker

2018 MVP’s: Carson Wentz & Fletcher Cox

Breakout Player: Sidney Jones

Hotshot Rookie: Dallas Goedert

My prediction last year: 8-8

Record last year: 13-3 (playoffs)

Record this year: 10-6 (playoffs)

Washington Redskins –

Strength: offensive line

Weakness: running back

2018 MVP’s: Alex Smith & Josh Norman

Breakout Player: Josh Doctson

Hotshot Rookie: Tim Settle

My prediction last year: 6-10

Record last year: 7-9

Record this year: 4-12

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens –

Strength: defensive backs

Weakness: wide receiver

2018 MVP’s: Alex Collins & C.J. Mosley

Breakout Player: Matt Judon

Hotshot Rookie: Lamar Jackson

My prediction last year: 6-10

Record last year: 9-7

Record this year: 8-8 (playoffs)

Cincinnati Bengals –

Strength: cornerback

Weakness: offensive line

2018 MVP’s: A.J. Green & William Jackson III

Breakout Player: William Jackson III

Hotshot Rookie: Sam Hubbard

My prediction last year: 7-9

Record last year: 7-9

Record this year: 6-10

Cleveland Browns – Is this the year Cleveland finally turns it around?

No. Shut up.

Strength: linebacker

Weakness: defensive tackle

2018 MVP’s: Jarvis Landry & Myles Garrett

Breakout Player: Myles Garrett

Hotshot Rookie: Antonio Callaway

My prediction last year: 5-11

Record last year: 0-16

Record this year: 6-10

Pittsburgh Steelers –

Strength: wide receiver

Weakness: tight end

2018 MVP’s: Antonio Brown & T.J. Watt

Breakout Player: T.J. Watt

Hotshot Rookie: James Washington

My prediction last year: 9-7 (playoffs)

Record last year: 13-3 (playoffs)

Record this year: 11-5 (playoffs)

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears –

Strength: defensive backs

Weakness: defensive line

2018 MVP’s: Jordan Howard & Kyle Fuller

Breakout Player: Mitch Trubisky

Hotshot Rookie: Bilal Nichols

My prediction last year: 5-11

Record last year: 5-11

Record this year: 5-11

Detroit Lions –

Strength: wide receiver

Weakness: tight end

2018 MVP’s: Matt Stafford & Darius Slay

Breakout Player: Kenny Golladay

Hotshot Rookie: Kerryon Johnson

My prediction last year: 8-8

Record last year: 9-7

Record this year: 9-7

Green Bay Packers –

Strength: quarterback

Weakness: running back

2018 MVP’s: Aaron Rodgers & Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Breakout Player: Jamaal Williams

Hotshot Rookie: Jaire Alexander

My prediction last year: 11-5 (playoffs)

Record last year: 7-9

Record this year: 11-5 (playoffs)

Minnesota Vikings –

Strength: defensive backs

Weakness: offensive line

2018 MVP’s: Kirk Cousins & Xavier Rhodes

Breakout Player: Kentrell Brothers

Hotshot Rookie: Mike Hughes

My prediction last year: 9-7

Record last year: 13-3 (playoffs)

Record this year:10-6 (playoffs)

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans –

Strength: defensive backs

Weakness: tight end

2018 MVP’s: Deshaun Watson & J.J. Watt

Breakout Player: D’Onta Foreman

Hotshot Rookie: Justin Reid

My prediction last year: 10-6 (playoffs)

Record last year: 4-12

Record this year: 11-5 (playoffs)

Indianapolis Colts –

Strength: quarterback

Weakness: running back

2018 MVP’s: T.Y Hilton & Malik Hooker

Breakout Player: Malik Hooker

Hotshot Rookie: Nyheim Hines

My prediction last year: 8-8

Record last year: 4-12

Record this year: 8-8

Jacksonville Jaguars –

Strength: defensive backs

Weakness: quarterback

2018 MVP’s: Leonard Fournette & Calais Campbell

Breakout Player: Myles Jack

Hotshot Rookie: Leon Jacobs

My prediction last year: 7-9

Record last year: 10-6 (playoffs)

Record this year: 14-2 (playoffs)

Tennessee Titans –

Strength: defensive backs

Weakness: wide receiver

2018 MVP’s: Marcus Mariota & Kevin Byard

Breakout Player: Corey Davis

Hotshot Rookie: Harold Landry

My prediction last year: 11-5 (playoffs)

Record last year: 9-7 (playoffs)

Record this year: 8-8

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons –

Strength: wide receiver

Weakness: tight end

2018 MVP’s: Julio Jones & Vic Beasley

Breakout Player: Takkarist McKinley

Hotshot Rookie: Calvin Ridley

My prediction last year: 10-6 (playoffs)

Record last year: 10-6 (playoffs)

Record this year: 9-7 (playoffs)

Carolina Panthers –

Strength: defensive tackle

Weakness: defensive backs

2018 MVP’s: Cam Newton & Luke Kuechly

Breakout Player: Shaq Thompson

Hotshot Rookie: D.J. Moore

My prediction last year: 10-6

Record last year: 11-5 (playoffs)

Record this year: 8-8

New Orleans Saints –

Strength: quarterback

Weakness: defensive tackle

2018 MVP’s: Drew Brees & Cameron Jordan

Breakout Player: Alex Anzalone

Hotshot Rookie: Marcus Davenport

My prediction last year: 8-8

Record last year: 11-5 (playoffs)

Record this year: 8-8

Tampa Bay Buccaneers –

Strength: defensive line

Weakness: defensive backs

2018 MVP’s: Mike Evans & Lavonte David

Breakout Player: Chris Godwin

Hotshot Rookie: Jack Cinchy

My prediction last year: 10-6 (playoffs)

Record last year: 5-11

Record this year: 5-11

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos –

Strength: linebacker

Weakness: running back

2018 MVP’s: Case Keenum & Von Miller

Breakout Player: Jake Butt

Hotshot Rookie: Bradley Chubb

My prediction last year: 7-9

Record last year: 5-11

Record this year: 7-9

Kansas City Chiefs –

Strength: running back

Weakness: defensive backs

2018 MVP’s: Kareem Hunt & Eric Berry

Breakout Player: Patrick Mahomes II

Hotshot Rookie: Armani Watts

My prediction last year: 10-6 (playoffs)

Record last year: 10-6 (playoffs)

Record this year: 7-9

Los Angeles Chargers –

Strength: quarterback

Weakness: catastrophic injury

2018 MVP’s: Philip Rivers & Melvin Ingram

Breakout Player: Mike Williams

Hotshot Rookie: Derwin James

My prediction last year: 9-7

Record last year: 9-7

Record this year: 10-6 (playoffs)

Oakland Raiders –

Strength: offensive line

Weakness: defensive line

2018 MVP’s: Amari Cooper & Khalil Mack

Breakout Player: Tahir Whitehead

Hotshot Rookie: Eddy Pinero

My prediction last year: 11-5 (playoffs)

Record last year: 6-10

Record this year: 6-10

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals –

Strength: defensive backs

Weakness: depth

2018 MVP’s: David Johnson & Chandler Jones

Breakout Player: Budda Baker

Hotshot Rookie: Josh Rosen

My prediction last year: 11-5 (playoffs)

Record last year: 8-8

Record this year: 5-11

Los Angeles Rams –

Strength: defensive backs

Weakness: linebacker

2018 MVP’s: Todd Gurley & Aaron Donald

Breakout Player: Cooper Kupp

Hotshot Rookie: Micah Kiser

My prediction last year: 5-11

Record last year: 11-5 (playoffs)

Record this year: 12-4 (playoffs)

San Francisco 49’ers –

Strength: defensive line

Weakness: running back

2018 MVP’s: Jimmy Garoppolo & Reuben Foster

Breakout Player: Solomon Thomas

Hotshot Rookie: Dante Pettis

My prediction last year: 3-13

Record last year: 6-10

Record this year: 9-7

Seattle Seahawks –

Strength: linebacker

Weakness: safety

2018 MVP’s: Russell Wilson & Bobby Wagner

Breakout Player: Nick Vannett

Hotshot Rookie: Shaquem Griffin

My prediction last year: 11-5 (playoffs)

Record last year: 9-7

Record this year: 6-10

PLAYOFFS

NFC

1. LA Rams

2. Green Bay

3. Philadelphia

4. Atlanta

5. Minnesota

6. NY Giants

AFC

1. Jacksonville

2. New England

3. Pittsburgh

4. LA Chargers

5. Houston

6. Baltimore

SUPER BOWL: LA Rams vs. Jacksonville

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