Draft Day

Joshua Jordan Mock Draft 2.0 with commentary from NFL.com's Lance Zierlein

Apr 12, 2018, 2:54 pm

Apparently I need to move up Roquan Smith in next week's Mock 3.0. Courtesy photo

Now that all the big moves of free agency have taken place, it's time to take a look at how the first round of the draft may play out. I'm probably one of the few people that don't have a projected trade in the Top 10. That's because I think the Broncos stay put and take their franchise QB at pick No. 5. My mock draft is a bit different from some the national guys like Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. And I certainly don't have their resume, but I do have the luxury of talking football with guys like Lance, and have co-hosted draft shows in the Houston market the last few years. If you want to see how Lance has the first round shaking out compared to mine, you can read his mock draft here. Also, check out Lance's thoughts on a couple of my picks in the video above. Below is my Mock 2.0, and I'll continue to update it every Thursday up until draft day.

1. Cleveland Browns- USC QB Sam Darnold

The Browns finally get their franchise QB. I'm not buying the Josh Allen rumors yet.

2. New York Giants- NCST DE Bradley Chubb

The Giants find a replacement for JPP.

3. New York Jets- UCLA QB Josh Rosen

The Jets grab their QB.

4. Cleveland Browns- Penn St. RB Saquon Barkley

Cleveland finally has some talent on offense, and they get the best player and best QB in the draft.

5. Denver Broncos- Wyoming QB Josh Allen

Many have the Broncos trading out here, but I think they stand pat and take their future QB.

6. Indianapolis Colts- Virginia Tech LB Tremaine Edmonds

The Colts add an incredible playmaker to their defense.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Ohio St. CB Denzel Ward

The Bucs get the best corner in the draft.

8. Chicago Bears- Notre Dame OG Quenton Nelson

The Bears get maybe the best player in the draft and protect their young QB.

9. San Francisco 49ers- UTSA DE Marcus Davenport

The 49ers need some pass rush and they get it with Davenport. I'm a little concerned with this pick after talking with Lance.

10. Oakland Raiders- Washington DT Vita Vea

Gruden gets some help for Khalil Mack on the defensive line.

11. Miami Dolphins- Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Dolphins take the best player available and roll with Tannehill another year.

12. Buffalo Bills- Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield

The Bills don't even have to trade up into the Top 10 to get their QB.

13. Washington Redskins- Florida State Safety Derwin James

Washington needs a physical presence at safety.

14. Green Bay Packers- Louisville CB Jaire Alexander

The Packers go back to the well and select another corner in the first round.

15. Arizona Cardinals- Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey

The Cardinals upgrade their putrid offensive line.

16. Baltimore Ravens- Alabama WR Calvin Ridley

Ozzie Newsome adds the best receiver in the draft to help his veteran QB. He'll be a nice pairing with possession WR Michael Crabtree.

17. Los Angeles Chargers- Georgia LB Roquan Smith

The Chargers get a steal at pick 17. Smith falling is more about the position he plays.

18. Seattle Seahawks- Iowa CB Josh Jackson

Pete Carroll and John Schneider get their replacement for Richard Sherman. Jackson has size and terrific ball skills.

19. Dallas Cowboys- Alabama DT Da'Ron Payne

The Cowboys run up to the podium to pick their new defensive lineman.

20. Detroit Lions- Texas OT/OG Connor Williams

The Lions get some help on their offensive line. Williams can play tackle and guard.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - UTEP OG Will Hernandez

The Bengals line was awful last year.

22. Buffalo Bills- UCLA OT Kolton Miller

The Bills are thrilled to see Miller available.

23. New England Patriots- UCF CB Mike Hughes

The Pats replace Butler at CB.

24. Carolina Panthers- Boston College DE Harold Landry

Julius Peppers can't play forever.

25. Tennessee Titans- LSU DE Arden Key

The Titans need pass rush and they address it with Key. He can win one-on-one matchups.

26. Atlanta Falcons- Florida DT Taven Bryan

Dontari Poe left in free agency so the Falcons add a DT.

27. New Orleans Saints- Alabama LB Rashaan Evans

The Saints add a playmaker on the second level.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Alabama S Ronnie Harrison

He just feels like a Steeler.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars- Michigan DT Maurice Hurst

Calais Campbell is getting old, so the Jags add some depth on the defensive line.

30. Minnesota Vikings- Georgia OG Isaiah Wynn

The Vikings spent a ton of money on Kirk Cousins, so they add some help on the line to protect him.

31. New England Patriots- Boise St. LB Leighton Vander Esch

Belichick adds to his horrible defense again.

32. Philadelphia Eagles- South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst

The Super Bowl champs add another toy for Carson Wentz.

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RAVENS 33, TEXANS 16

5 observations from the Ravens win over the Texans

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Let's be honest; the Texans were not going to beat the Ravens. Baltimore has better players, a better quarterback and a better coaching staff. (And oh, a better kicker). All of that was on display in the Ravens' 33-16 win.

The Ravens move to 2-0, while the Texans dropped to 0-2 after facing the AFC's two best teams.

The Texans will still likely contend for a playoff spot, but nothing the last two weeks indicates they are anywhere near contending in the AFC. A look at five things from the Ravens win:

1) Oh, Brien...It did not take long for Bill O'Brien's goofy coaching to rear its ugly head. Down 3-0 at their own 34 as the first quarter was running out, O'Brien chose to go for it on fourth and one. The play was predictably blown up, the Ravens quickly scored to make it 10-0, and the Texans were instantly in a hole against a superior opponent. You can't give points away against the Ravens. They might have scored anyway with a punt, but there was no stopping them with a short field.

2) Some positives on defense. Despite the score, The Texans looked much better on that side of the ball against an explosive offense. J.J. Watt had two sacks, the team had four total, and they kept Lamar Jackson from destroying them. Seven of the points were scored by the Ravens defense, and O'Brien's gaffe led to seven more. The Ravens wore them down in the fourth quarter, but they played well enough until then to keep the team in the game had the offense been better. They did not force any turnovers, however, and that was one of the differences in the game. They were also blown off the ball on a fourth and one in the fourth quarter that led to the Ravens' 30th points and could not stop the run at all in the fourth quarter. But that's what the Ravens do with a lead, and the Texans offense gave them no breaks by being unable to stay on the field.

3) The difference between real contenders...The Ravens were just so much more skilled on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they focused on taking away the run. David Johnson averaged 3.1 yards per carry. Will Fuller had as many catches as you did. The Ravens forced two turnovers on just really good football plays. The Texans don't make plays like that. They might against lesser teams, but if your goal is to compete with the best, it's just not good enough.

4) Deshaun Watson needs to be better. His numbers looked so so on the surface (25 of 36, 275 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception). He was sacked four times and added 17 rushing yards on five carries. He did not make plays late when they needed one here or there to maybe get back in the game. With his big contract, it's time for Watson to stop being close to elite and take the next step. His interception was more of being fooled by Marcus Peters than throwing a bad ball, but the Texans were just 3 of 9 on third downs. Throw in the ill-advised fourth down play, and they were just 3 of 10 extending drives. Give the Ravens a lot of credit, but again, to compete with the best, you have to be better than that.

5) Now what? The Texans travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers, who have not been impressive in their two wins. Still, it's hard to see Houston as anything but serious underdogs. They are last in the AFC South, and have a lot of work to do. The defense showed some promise at times, but will have to continue to improve. The offense has a long way to go. They match up better with the Steelers than they do the Ravens and Chiefs, but that does not mean they can win. If you were hoping they would give you some indication they can be more than just also-rans, they failed to do that on any level against either the Chiefs or Ravens.

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