With 18 picks decided I wanted to get a jump on what my projections will be in a turning point year. With this QB class “not being the best”(which I don’t really see) this shapes up as a wild draft. This, of course, is pre Free Agency, and will not include any trades that I think will happen.
Pick 1- Jacksonville Jaguars
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge Oregon
With plenty of holes to fill the Jags go edge. Kayvon is a game breaker; I think they hop off the Aiden Hutchinson hype train and take the guy who has been the best edge rusher on almost all boards.
Pick-2 Detroit Lions
Aiden Hutchinson, Edge Michigan
The QB class isn’t blowing guys away this year so I think the Lions stick with Goff and keep Aiden in Michigan and he becomes the face of a team with a gritty identity.
Pick-3 Houston Texans
Evan Neal, OT Alabama
Houston thinks they may have found something in Mills so they will look to protect him for his development. They already have Tunsil, and Neal played all over the line at Bama so I think he could end up a book end at RT.
Pick-4 N.Y. Jets
Kyle Hamilton, Safety Notre Dame
With signing Marcus Maye unlikely, the Jets and Saleh will likely grab, who may be, the best overall player to help build up this defense.
Pick- 5 N.Y. Giants
Ikem Ekonwu, G/T N.C. State
Giants, for now at least, want to go back with Jones next year. They have holes all over the line to fill and Ekonwu can play inside and out, hopefully with some protection Jones can reach a better level of play.
Pick- 6 Carolina Panthers
Charles Cross, OT Miss. State
I think Carolina has reached the point where they can’t develop a QB if they can’t keep him upright. It will be tempting for Rhule & co. to grab a QB here to try to save his job, but I don’t see them going that way.
Pick- 7 N.Y. Giants via CHI
George Karlafatis, Edge Purdue
It’s easy to see Giants going LB here, but having a high pick in the second they will address it there, I believe. For now, they take another edge rusher to partner with Ojulari. George is a power rusher with the ability and discipline to stop the run as well.
Pick-8 Atlanta Falcons
Derek Stingley, CB LSU
Falcons found a gem in Terrell, and with the best edge players off the board they will try to stop the pass by grabbing the best CB available. Stingley has topped draft boards for a long time and has been a dominant prospect.
Pick- 9 Denver Broncos
Kenny Pickett, QB Pitt
First QB off the board who will look to take a Broncos team that is very close to being ready to really win to the next level. A new coaching staff is coming in and they will hand a young guy the keys and hope it bears fruit.
Pick- 10 N.Y. Jets via Sea
Tyler Linderbaum, IOL Iowa
There is temptation to add another weapon for Wilson here, but Moore and Carter Jr. are studs so the focus on keeping Zach upright will prevail.
Pick-11 WFT
Matt Corral, QB Ole MIss
Corral is a fiery competitor with good mobility and a quick release. He fits the competitive direction for the team and fits Scott Turners quick read offense really well. Once again Washington attempts to solve its long time QB issue.
Pick- 12 Minn. Vikings
Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, CB Cinci.
The Vikings are a good team, but have struggled to grab a good Corner. They’ve tried to get one here recently, but have done so unsuccessfully. I believe Sauce changes that for them here.
Pick- 13 Cleveland Browns
Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio State
Pre-injury I would’ve had Jameson Williams here. Wilson is a sure handed route runner who will look to help kick start a struggling Browns passing game.
Pick-14 Baltimore Ravens
Darrian Kinnard, OT Kentucky
Kinnard plays with an edge that will help him survive in a division full of great edge rushers. A good pass blocker, but a great run blocker who will help push an already deadly rushing attack in Baltimore.
Pick- 15 PHI Eagles via MIA
Nakobe Dean, LB Georgia
The Eagles are a playoff team with 3 first round picks. They will bolster the defense here with a LB who cuts through the defense as a blitzer, plugs run gaps, and covers the pass. A do it all type player.
Pick- 16 PHI Eagles via Indy
David Ojoba, Edge Michigan
Ojoba gets after the QB with his quickness; a pure finesse rusher who will compliment an underrated D- line with no true speed rusher. Davis fills that void.
Pick- 17 L.A. Chargers
Jordan Davis, DT Georgia
The Chargers have a lot of pieces to be a great defense. What they lack is a run disruptor; Jordan is a mountain of a man who will plug up the middle for a long time in L.A.
Pick- 18 N.O. Saints
Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas
The Saints are going to add a weapon on the outside and run it back with Winston. Burks can be a volume pass catcher, as he was the focal point of a surprise Arkansas team.
This is what I have so far on the draft. As the playoffs end I’m looking to finish off this one. I’ll be releasing more as free agency hits and combine goes on. I’m hoping to get your guys feedback and your thoughts on the picks.
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