Givanni Damico | November 15th, 2019
Welcome to my first mock draft since April! Click here for my first mock draft. A lot, and I mean a lot has changed since May. Some people have completely fallen out of favor and are no longer in my top 100.
There are plenty of teams who have way too many needs to cover in one round, so I apologize in advance for the people asking “Why didn’t you give my team (insert player that won’t fall to said team here).” The draft order that I used in May has changed drastically, but some teams are still around the same pick.
Most people expected the Bengals, Dolphins, and Giants to be picking in the top 10, but I don’t think anyone saw the Falcons being in the same position. The Cleveland Browns are also in this top 10, despite many people’s thoughts that they would make a deep playoff run. I’m sure many changes will occur before my third mock draft in three weeks as well.
This mock draft includes trades. The draft order follows the Monday Night Football Game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks and can be found on Tankathon.
1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
As much as I want to give the Bengals the best player in the country, they are in need of a quarterback more than anything else. At least, that’s what they seem to believe. I don’t think Andy Dalton is the problem with their team at all, but the Bengals benched him in favor of rookie Ryan Finley this week. With the emergence of Joe Burrow and how well he would fit their scheme, I don’t see them passing on the opportunity to take him.
2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
With their (hopefully) franchise quarterback now apart of their team, the Redskins look to improve elsewhere. It’s most important for them to look internally at their ownership and GM, as well as their coaching staff, but unfortunately, there’s no draft for that. Chase Young is the best player in the country right now and that is not debatable. He dominates the big men upfront and wreaks havoc on almost every play. While defensive end isn’t the weakest part of the Skins’ defense, sometimes you just have to take the best player available.
3. New York Giants – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Back-to-back Buckeyes off the board in this draft, with the Giants selecting the best cornerback in this draft class. As we saw in their last game against the Jets, it wasn’t the offense that was the main problem. Sure, if Saquon Barkley averaged more than .08 yards per carry, they may have had a better chance, but their defense has continued to struggle. They lack speed in the secondary and Okudah brings that in bundles as well as great coverage ability. He will make opposing quarterbacks think twice about throwing his way and keep the Giants in the game more often than they are right now.
4. Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
While I may be one of the few who still have Justin Herbert ahead of Tua on my board, this seems like a lock at this point. That is unless the Dolphins keep winning. Tua has the skill set to be a franchise quarterback and I’m almost sure it will translate. He will be the captain of this Dolphins’ offense for years to come.
5. New York Jets – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Jets need to protect their “franchise quarterback” in Sam Darnold. Although their secondary is atrocious, there cannot be any other priority right now. Thomas is arguably the most NFL-ready tackle in the draft and will allow Darnold more time to show his ability, rather than ending up on his backside or forcing poor throws.
6. Atlanta Falcons – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Simmons is a hybrid player who is an elite athlete and will be a monumental help in pass coverage. The Falcons will never win this division with the defense they’re putting out there right now, even if that defense shut down the Saints. There are too many holes that need to be filled before they can even begin to compete, and Simmons may just fill multiple holes.
7. Cleveland Browns – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Baker Mayfield needs better protection than what Chris Hubbard can provide. Wirfs is my favorite offensive lineman in this draft and he will be able to jump in and make an immediate impact. This will hopefully allow the electrifying trio of Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jarvis Landry to have the success that many believed they were ready to have this season.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The Buccaneers are fed up with Jameis Winston‘s turnovers and inconsistency on offense. Although I still believe there is a bit of hope left for him (although not for Mariota), the Buccaneers need to move on. Justin Herbert isn’t wowing anybody by putting up a Heisman campaign this year, but he has a very refined skill set that can’t be said for other quarterbacks in this draft. He is ready to take over and start immediately.
The Denver Broncos trade the 9th overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the 16th overall pick, a 2020 2nd, 2020 5th, and 2021 2nd.
9. Philadelphia Eagles – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Eagles are in dire need of an electrifying wide receiver who can stay on the field and hold onto the ball. So far, former first-round pick Nelson Agholor has only managed to stay on the field. Jeudy is a generational talent at wide receiver and will allow Carson Wentz and the Eagles to stretch the field more than they already do. Eagles’ fans, hopefully, your team makes the right move.
10. Arizona Cardinals – A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Epenesa was a top-five player on my board to begin the season, but he just hasn’t produced as much as I had hoped. He still has a very good skill set and can make a huge impact on the league. Getting him at 10 could end up being a steal for the Cardinals.
The Detroit Lions trade the 11th overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for the 14th overall pick, a 2020 2nd, and a 2021 4th.
11. Las Vegas Raiders – CeeDee Lamb, WR , Oklahoma
Oklahoma is back and producing another human highlight-reel at wide receiver. Think of CeeDee Lamb like this: Odell Beckham Jr. but not a diva (yet), and can catch the ball! How many Browns’/Odell fans did I just make mad? As much as I love Tyrell “The Gazelle” Williams, he can’t be a one-man wide receiving corps. Lamb to the desert would make this offense frightening.
12. Los Angeles Chargers – Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
The only spot on the defensive line where the Chargers are weak is right up the middle. Derrick Brown would make this arguably the most frightening defensive front in football. Brown was regarded as a top-10 pick to start the season. He hasn’t fallen too much for me, but scoring him at 12 would be huge for Los Angeles.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars – Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
Paulson Adebo has great ball-tracking ability and will replace Jalen Ramsey. Adobe doesn’t have the same eccentric personality as Ramsey and won’t cost a ridiculously large amount of money. Although he may not be quite as talented, at least not right off the bat, he’s no slouch either. I would prefer Jacksonville to draft someone on offense since their defense is already solid, the Ramsey trade opened up a large need.
14. Detroit Lions (via Raiders) – Tyler Biadasz, iOL, Wisconsin
The Lions need someone like Biadasz who is a beast in the trenches. This guy is just a tough player who will create running lanes for Kerryon Johnson. He is very strong and pro-ready, but my only concern is how much higher his ceiling can go.
15. Tennessee Titans – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Eason has definitely been inconsistent this year, but it’s obvious to me that he has a ton of talent. He graded pretty poorly for me to begin the season because I didn’t have much tape to grade on. The Titans, despite Ryan Tannehill‘s success, are in dire need of a franchise quarterback. Tannehill is too old and Marcus Mariota just is not a good quarterback. While it may seem like a bit of a reach here, the Titans would be targeting their biggest need and getting a very good player.
16. Denver Broncos – Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
The Broncos made the mistake of drafting the revolving door who is Garrett Bolles in 2017. Another brilliant draft pick by John Elway. It’s time for him to be replaced. For those who care, my board goes Thomas and Wirfs tied at one, then Leatherwood. Leatherwood would provide much-needed protection for Drew Lock next year, who will more than likely be the starter. Hopefully, Elway was able to hit on that pick and Lock can become the first consistent Broncos’ quarterback since Peyton Manning. Despite Leatherwood’s poor performance against LSU, the guy still has all the traits of a successful
17. Las Vegas Raiders – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
After trading away Gareon Conley, the Raiders might as well put the water boy at cornerback. Diggs is a long cornerback who can get his hands on the ball and make big plays. He’ll be an immediate upgrade over Conley and will bolster this defense to hopefully give Jon Gruden’s team a better chance to compete.
18. Indianapolis Colts – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Three members of the Crimson Tide in a row? This was not done on purpose, trust me. The Colts need a wide receiver who can stretch the field. T.Y. Hilton gives Jacoby Brissett a reliable target, but Brissett can’t only have Hilton out there assisting him. Ruggs would make this offense much more exciting to watch than it is now and give them a real shot at the AFC South.
19. Carolina Panthers – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
James Bradberry is on a contract year and I don’t know if the Panthers are willing to bring him back. Fulton will bolster this defense and give them a better shot at the NFC playoff race. Their offense hasn’t been prolific enough to get them there, despite their defensive success. Although it may make sense to give them another offensive weapon, their biggest need is the cornerback position.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams) – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
The Jaguars have speed at the wide receiver position right now with D.J. Chark and Dede Westbrook, but they don’t have a consistent, reliable target. Higgins is a very underrated player with good hands. He is big-bodied and provides a different look than what the Jaguars normally run out on the field.
21. Dallas Cowboys – Grant Delpit, S, LSU
I feel like I’ve been pushing the Cowboys to take a safety in the first round for a decade, although this is just the third straight year. Delpit began the year at the top of my board, but his issues with wrapping up and his lack of production have dropped him down my board a bit, conveniently right into the clutches of the Cowboys. If he’s available when they pick, and they pass on him, I seriously question the judgment of the front office.
22. Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh Steelers) – Devonta Smith, WR (Alabama)
I’ve been on Devonta Smith since the beginning of the season, but his performance against LSU put me over the top. The Dolphins need playmakers. Well, they need everything, but everything starts with the playmakers. Drafting offensive linemen would be smart, but it also wouldn’t make much sense and I don’t know if the fans would approve. To be clear, I am not disrespecting offensive linemen at all. They are some of the most important players on the field. But adding a speed demon like Smith with his Alabama counterpart at quarterback would be a great move for the franchise.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Although many people have D’Andre Swift at the top of the board, I can’t rank him above Etienne. Etienne is averaging almost nine yards per carry, albeit has stats were inflated during their game against Wofford when he averaged over 20 yards per carry. I think it’s foolish to think that just because the team that Etienne is playing is a bad football program, that his success shouldn’t matter in that game. No other running back in the nation would have had a stat line of nine carries for 212 yards and two touchdowns. He is an electrifying player who would fit in with the Chiefs’ dynamic offense.
24. Minnesota Vikings – Creed Humphrey, OG/C, Oklahoma
I’m not very confident in this pick because I see many people saying that Humphrey is going to play center at the pro level with no wiggle room. I’d like to see him play left guard for the Vikings and replace the worst player on that offense, Pat Elflein. This team doesn’t have a lot of holes, besides this absolutely gaping one on the offensive line.
25. Buffalo Bills – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
I’m a little worried about how many receivers that I’m projecting to go round one after last season when many highly regarded wide receivers such as D.K. Metcalf fell down the board. Jefferson is exactly what Josh Allen needs on offense. He’s got his speed demons in John Brown and Robert Foster and his slot receiver in Cole Beasley, but he doesn’t have that big-bodied wide receiver who is just a straight playmaker. Jefferson has shined all year and he is finally beginning to get the proper recognition that he deserves. He would make this Bills’ offense much more of a threat than they currently are.
26. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans) – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Gross-Matos has had a tough life, but he has shined in the spotlight. For those who don’t know, his older brother died after being struck by lightning and his father died trying to save him (Yetur) from drowning. Gross-Matos didn’t fold when faced with adversity. He has played with purpose throughout his career and that has continued this season. While his production is just a bit down from last year, he shows flashes of potential and brilliance. The Dolphins desperately need help with the pass-rush and he would undoubtedly jump in and start right away.
27. New Orleans Saints – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Shenault isn’t my favorite receiver in this draft, but he is my favorite receiver still on the board. As fantastic as Michael Thomas is, he can’t be the only reliable target for the Saints. Acquiring Shenault would allow for a receiving corps with the potential of comparing to the Mike Evans–Chris Godwin duo. This offense would be lethal with more threats than just Thomas and Alvin Kamara, and Shenault provides big play ability.
28. Seattle Seahawks – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
I am not high on Henderson at all, but he shouldn’t fall out of the first round. Henderson struggles in press coverage and his tackling ability is rather poor, but he still shows flashes of a lockdown cornerback. The Seahawks need to keep adding defensive firepower if they want their unit to ever compare to the Legion of Boom that brought them to Super Bowls.
29. Baltimore Ravens – Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Baltimore doesn’t lack much of anything, so let’s give them the best player on the board. Moses would probably be a top-10 pick if he was healthy, but his injury has dropped him down the boards. The Ravens could use another wide receiver, but there’s no one else that I am comfortable moving into the first round just to fill their need. Moses would jump in and make that defense a terrifying unit.
30. Green Bay Packers – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE (LSU)
Chaisson has been relatively shut down by opponents this year but the potential is definitely there. He can create pressure and be an improvement over Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster.
31. New England Patriots – Javon Kinlaw, DL (South Carolina)
The Patriots could go many different directions with this pick. They could look to their future Tom Brady replacement, or perhaps Albert Okwuegbunam at tight end to fill the void created by Rob Gronkowski‘s replacement. How about Kinlaw to be Lawrence Guy‘s replacement once his contract expires? He’s a beast who can both stuff the run and create pressure on the quarterback.
32. San Francisco 49ers – Lucas Niang, OT (TCU)
The 49ers need their Joe Staley replacement. Niang is a guy who I just recently began scouting more heavily. He can hold his own in the pass game, but he excels in the run game which fits Kyle Shanahan‘s scheme. I’m hesitant about this pick because prospects from TCU seem to always have a lot of promise, but not pan out. Niang is a great player, but I’m not sure how high his ceiling is.
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