SportMap's Cody Stoots takes a look at the draft before free agency gets started
Cody Stoots' NFL mock draft 1.0
Mar 8, 2019, 7:19 am
SportMap's Cody Stoots takes a look at the draft before free agency gets started
My first go at a mock draft this year. This is a pre-free agency look and some of this picks will be rendered obsolete with the players added via free agency. That isn't going to stop me because after a little while in free agency we will do another one of these.
1. Arizona Cardinals - Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
Can't see this playing out any other way right now.
2. San Francisco 49ers - Nick Bosa, Edge, Ohio State
Ditto.
3. New York Jets - Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
Ditto again.
4. Oakland Raiders - D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
Let's get wild Gruden. Metcalf was a monster at the combine and though Gruden is calling the shots there is still Davis blood at the top. There is almost no talent on the offense and this helps in that category. With two other picks in the first round there is room for error here. High risk, high reward.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Devin White, LB, LSU
The Buccaneers missed the chance to have a field general and tone setter at safety last year by passing on Derwin James. Different position but the missed result gets righted here. White can ball and Tampa needs ballers on the defense.
6. New York Giants - Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
I wanted to put a tackle here to protect Eli Manning since they're set on him being the quarterback but making sure the future is buttoned up is a necessity at this point.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
A new toy for Nick Foles and hopefully a player to help their rushing attack as well. They have invested heavily in the offense and the quarterback has held them back. It will be Nick Foles' job to make sure the quarterback isn't a huge negative for Jacksonville.
8. Detroit Lions - Josh Allen, Edge, Kentucky
The Lions have to be jumping for joy this guy is still here.
9. Buffalo Bills - Rashan Gary, Edge, Michigan
Too much investment at defensive tackle to put Ed Oliver here. I almost thought about a tackle here but surely they can piece the spot together for another year to make sure they have a pass rusher for years to come.
10. Denver Broncos - Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
John Elway has disappointed a ton for the Broncos in the draft. The idea of pairing Greedy Williams with veteran cornerback Chris Harris seems like a situation even Elway can't mess up.
11. Cincinnati Bengals - Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan
There needs to be a makeover on defense getting away from the dirty and poor linebacker play they have been known for in recent years. Bush is freak and will earn back respect with thump after thump patrolling the middle for the Bengals.
12. Green Bay Packers - Brian Burns, Edge, Florida State
There is an intense need to get better on defense and Burns' impressive combine has him flying up draft boards.
13. Miami Dolphins - Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Miami very well could be getting another Ryan Tannehill level quarterback but they have to start turning the page at the position.
14. Atlanta Falcons - Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
Biggest steal of the draft if this happens.
15. Washington Redskins - Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Williams' potential versatility helps with playing now and the age of their tackles makes his future secure protecting the unsure quarterback position going forward.
16. Carolina Panthers - Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
This helps Cam Newton stay durable and Christian McCaffrey get even better.
17. Cleveland Browns - Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
This has the potential to be a nasty tandem pairing Baker with last year's selection Denzel Ward.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
A nasty defensive lineman to help ease the pain of any potential cuts and a hole at defensive tackle.
19. Tennessee Titans - Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
I am sure Mike Vrabel can find a way to use him on his defense.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
Bud Dupree 2.0 is a potential outcome but pairing him with T.J. Watt could mean the Steelers are a formidable pass rushing team.
21. Seattle Seahawks - Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
Plug and play another good player on defense for Seattle. Seems like they consistently get good players dropping into their laps.
22. Baltimore Ravens - N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
There is no talent at the wideout position and Harry solves that.
23. Houston Texans - Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
Likely a dream scenario. I am betting on teams getting scared off from his lack of experience blocking in the run game allowing him to fall this far. The Texans couldn't get the card up there fast enough.
More of Andre Dillard LT from Wazzou.
I'm convinced he could have stayed in front of this guy for a month. #wavedrill pic.twitter.com/OqB7l5XEZJ
— Lemme Say Something (@LemmeSayItNow) February 26, 2019
Andre Dillard VS Jaylen Ferguson at the senior bowl pic.twitter.com/50YOQAldfr
— Lemme Say Something (@LemmeSayItNow) February 26, 2019
Look at how Andre Dillard just stops the defender in his tracks trying to use the rip move 👌🏽 such a good pass protector. #nfldraft2019 #nfl #nfldraft #draft #football #sports #washingtonstate #washingtonstatecougars pic.twitter.com/o2lOyFd4zp
— Prospect Breakdown (@Thee_ProsBrkdwn) March 6, 2019
24. Oakland Raiders - Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
A safer selection than Metcalf but another talented player to assist in the rebuild.
25. Philadelphia Eagles - Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
This was one of the harder teams to peg. Alshon Jeffery has worked out just fine for the Eagles why not another South Carolina pass catcher.
26. Indianapolis Colts - Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
Adding talent to the secondary is never a bad option especially when money spent on cornerbacks rarely works out so drafting one is a better option.
27. Oakland Raiders - Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
Two offensive players in the books so the Raiders have to go defense here. They've failed at safety in recent years so they try to right the ship in the secondary.
28. Los Angeles Chargers - Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
A nice player in a nice spot for the Chargers who keep adding to a nice defense.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State
They have to add defense and Layne has tremendous potential and size in a division loaded with impressive wideouts.
30. Green Bay Packers - Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma
Versatility gets him on the field early.
31. Los Angeles Rams - Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
Safety help with the safety turnover will be a popular thought for the Rams.
32. New England Patriots - Jachai Polite, Edge, Florida
Before the combine he was a high pick and he will still be in the first round when he falls right into the lap of the Patriots.
54. Houston Texans - Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame
There has to be more talent in the cornerback room for the Texans and Love is a dynamic player. He was a huge key for the Irish and could start being a key for the Texans.
59 DAYS!!!
JULIAN LOVE
59 YARDS
PICK SIX ☘️☘️☘️
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY pic.twitter.com/5UIRCUTpWk
— Barstool Irish (@BarstoolIrish) July 4, 2018
THE JULIAN LOVE SHOW pic.twitter.com/6HO8pALhXY
— ᴍɪᴋᴇ ᴛᴀᴅᴅᴏᴡ (@taddmike) January 1, 2018
55. Houston Texans - Erik McCoy, C, Texas A&M
There is no reason Nick Martin shouldn't be pushed. While Garrett Bradbury would be the ideal selection he will be long gone before this spot. The next center off the board should be McCoy. I don't know if he could usurp Martin right away but push him and maybe the other guards from the start of camp would be a welcome sight.
First play: three games into SEC film this is the closest I've seen to Erik McCoy letting up a sack... hardly a pressure. Second play: McCoy violently trashed his man to the side, great mobility in space BUT under control, throws a second block down the field pic.twitter.com/a2GSWHHWYi
— 3-4 Base God (@UpRavens) March 2, 2019
Damn... Erik**** McCoy really HANDLED quinnen Williams! He put his pajamas on... peeled back the sheet, tucked the young boy in, and put him to bed #pancake #nflcombine #erikmccoy pic.twitter.com/frCjw1Yyhb
— 3-4 Base God (@UpRavens) March 2, 2019
Best OL 40 time at #Combine was posted by @AggieFootball center @Erik_McCoy_73. Here is how 4.90 translates onto the field. 👇 pic.twitter.com/hXBle2MSfz
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 1, 2019
86. Houston Texans - Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois
I would love to say Michigan defensive lineman Chase Winovich is here and the Texans snatched him up to be a versatile defensive weapon but I believe he will be gone. Adding beef to the middle making the linebacker's job a bit easier and maybe even stealing some pass rush from the middle of the defensive line.
Khalen Saunders has my attention. pic.twitter.com/DAIGUrlShk
— Dylan DeSimone (@DylanADeSimone) January 26, 2019
Good grief, Khalen Saunders! That left guard has a family! pic.twitter.com/N2xXdoNjMB
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) February 13, 2019
The best part about the Senior Bowl is that you get to go back and watch prospects who caught your eye that weren't originally on your radar.
Western Illinois DT Khalen Saunders (6'0", 320) is a bit undersized, but very impressive. A+ strength and athleticism. pic.twitter.com/hvfCnJezm4
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) February 4, 2019
The Houston Rockets (35-22) welcome the surging Milwaukee Bucks (32-24) on Tuesday night as they look to snap the Bucks' four-game winning streak and defend their strong home record.
The Rockets have been solid at Toyota Center, boasting an 18-9 home record, but they’ll need a sharper shooting performance to keep pace with Milwaukee. Houston ranks last in the Western Conference in three-point percentage (34.3%) and will have to find offensive efficiency against a Bucks team that allows 45.2% shooting to opponents.
Milwaukee, led by Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez, has struggled on the road (12-15) but remains dangerous when controlling possessions. The Bucks are 15-7 when they commit fewer turnovers than their opponents, averaging just 13.1 per game.
Key Matchups to Watch:
With both teams sitting fifth in their respective conferences, this matchup could serve as a measuring stick as they push toward playoff positioning. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. EST in Houston.
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