The Ground's Keepers 1st Round Picks and Where Some Huskers May End Up!
I pick what I would do if I were that teams GM, nothing more, nothing less. I’m sure you won’t agree with half of it, but that’s the beauty of a mock draft, you don’t have too.
Los Angeles Rams – Jared Goff QB – The Rams have played in arguably the best division in football the last few years. They have had some great defensive players in that time and have played Seattle and the Cardinals very tough. Problem is, when they get out and play everyone else, they are middling to bad. They have some talent on the roster and I love Todd Gurley, but if you want to win, you need a QB. I’m not in love with Goff, but I think he is the best QB in this draft, simply based on accuracy, which I think is the most important thing for a QB. For all of you Wentz loving fans, sorry, he is probably more talented, but I think Goff will be the better QB…of the two. I’m in like with Goff, so if you trade up here, you better get the best QB.
Philadelphia Eagles – Carson Wentz QB – Sometimes a player in college looks really good on a really good team. Then that player comes out and does outstanding in shorts going through drills. When that person is a QB, automatically that makes GMs move them up the charts. The Eagles need a lot of help and the last person of value left town, failing to turn off the lights. If I was the Eagles, I would have stayed at the 8 slot, taken Ronnie Staley and grabbed a QB later, but they made the trade to grab Wentz. I don’t like the move, but if you are up here, you better take who you trade for. Personally I would have taken Laremey Tunsil at this spot if I didn’t give up the farm to take a QB.
San Diego Chargers – Laremy Tunsil OT – The Chargers have holes all over, but in my opinion, when you pick this high, you either take the can’t miss pass rusher, which this draft doesn’t have, a franchise QB, which the Chargers already have (albeit old) or a franchise tackle. Some people think the chargers should take Jalen Ramsey, but I think you take Tunsil, make it work and then go from there. They need pass rushers too, but this would be too high to take Deforest Buckner in my opinion as he isn’t a “can’t miss” player. I would have had them taking Myles Jack or Jaylon Smith if either of them were close to healthy.
Dallas Cowboys – Jalen Ramsey CB/S – The Cowboys have a lot of interesting options at this spot and honestly, if I were them, I would trade down. Ezekiel Elliot is a tempting option at this point, as they could use a young hard running tailback to take pressure off the aging and now brittle Tony Romo. They also need a pass rusher, but again, with injuries, I don’t see the value at that position to take at 4. If they stay at this spot and the Chargers don’t take Ramsey, I think he makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys at this spot. He probably won’t be here, but if he is, that is where my money would be.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Myles Jack OLB – I know he is hurt and I know he could have the same surgery that is keeping Jadeveon Clowney from ever playing at a high level, but he may be the best player on a defense in college football last year when he played. They need playmakers on defense, and after the free agent signings of Prince Amukamara and Malik Jackson, they have added some solid pieces, now it’s time to roll the dice with Jack. They could try to trade down but no one else makes as much sense as Jack at this point.
Baltimore Ravens – Ronnie Stanley OT – The Ravens need pass rushers worse, but I can’t bring myself to take Buckner or Joey Bosa this high. Stanley isn’t that far removed from Tunsil and some scouts think he has more upside. The Ravens Oline is old and needs a youth infusion. If you want to keep Flacco upright, upgrade the trenches.
San Francisco 49ers – Reggie Ragland ILB – This team crumpled up like a balled up piece of paper after Jim Harbaugh left. They have so many holes to fill and not a lot of difference makers and they suddenly are old and have a lack of playmakers on both sides of the ball. Crushed that teams jumped them to take Goff, they have to resort to restocking the cupboards. There isn’t a player I’d jump at here, but Reggie Ragland could be a nice complement to Navarro Bowman as he nears the end of his career. I like the value of him at this spot, although they could take Bosa and hope that he wasn’t a product of the talent around him at Ohio State.
Cleveland Browns – Joey Bosa OLB – Cleveland needs a lot of help and unfortunately, if they take Paxton Lynch at this point, I’d say they are making a huge mistake. Lynch doesn’t get a first round grade from me, simply because I think when pressured he loses his accuracy in a hurry, not a trait you want in an NFL QB. Bosa could be a semi-hometown hero, he should be consistent and he won’t embarrass the franchise, ala Johnny Football. Seems like a match made in heaven for this woebegone outfit.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Vernon Hargreaves CB – CB or DE at this point? Well they certainly have a need at DB and Hargreaves can move on down from Gainesville and start right away. With an offense that is starting to find its identity, you can work on the defense in this draft and start strengthening other parts of your team. Buckner could have been the pick here, but I like Hargreaves at this spot if I’m former Husker Jason Licht.
New York Giants – Laquon Treadwell WR – As Eli Manning nears the end of his career, he needs weapons. The Giants have some needs at OLB and while they could reach and take Leonard Floyd, I’d rather have Treadwell. Treadwell made a living playing in the SEC and was one of the best WRs out there. I don’t care what his 40 times were at the combine, he gets open and catches the ball. They don’t have a lot of that right now in Jersey. Take the WR now, try to find that pass rusher or LB in the next round.
Chicago Bears – Ezekiel Elliot RB – My Bears need help all over. They took Kevin White last year and he never played, so in essence they are getting two first round picks this year. I love Elliot when he is motivated, he impressed me more than any runner not name McCaffrey the last two years. Since the Bears let Forte go to the Jets, and they have plenty of needs, fill this one with a dynamic playmaker and try to get the needed DB help in the next round. I suppose they could look to fill at corner with Eli Apple, but the value to me is at RB and I’d love to have Elliot to hand the ball off to, if I’m Jay Cutler.
New Orleans Saints – Sheldon Rankins DT – If he wasn’t possibly crazy and would maybe be like Randy Gregory, I’d take Robert Nkemdiche at this point, but alas, he is and they won’t. The Saints need interior DLine help something fierce, and Rankins should help curtail that. I’m not sure I like him as much as some people do, but there is definitely some value with this pick. He is a good pass rusher and fills a big need for the Saints.
Miami Dolphins – Eli Apple CB – Sometimes you get lucky and a player you want and need falls right to you. The Dolphins need a CB so bad and they have a few options at this point. Some people like William Jackson III better, but for some reason when I watch them I feel like Apple is the better player. If I’m the Dolphins, I take Apple and run.
Oakland Raiders– Robert Nkemdiche DT – Since the Patriots don’t have a first round pick this year, I’m going to give the Raiders the pick that Bill Belichick would make work. The kid has great potential and could be a pro bowl level player right away. Oakland has young horses on the defense that could help guide him into being a top notch pro and maybe walk the straight and narrow. Sometimes you have to take a chance to win big in this league, I love this pick. Now just keep him away from Aldon Smith…
Tennessee Titans– William Jackson III – The Titans have made some bold moves in moving out of the top spot in the draft along with getting DeMarco Murray, and they can afford to make another right here. They have a lot of spots to fill up and a lot of picks to do it. You could rationalize taking the falling DeForest Buckner or Shaq Lawson to rush the passer at this point, but I think they can make a play for Noah Spence at the beginning of the second round, getting equal value at DE and get a starting CB at the same time, seems like a win/win to me.
Detroit Lions – DeForest Buckner DE – If Buckner falls to this point, I will look like a wise man. Or many other GMs will be considered idiots for letting this guy fall this far. With the retirement of Megatron and a need at center, you could argue a player like Ryan Kelly or Josh Doctson is imperative for the Lions to obtain, but I think you can find some value at those positions later in the draft, Buckner has fallen far enough, go get an edge rusher that can help this team possibly make a run to the playoffs. Jack Conklin would be another nice addition, but he will have to be picked by another team.
Atlanta Falcons – Leonard Floyd OLB – At first, I thought the Falcons would be stupid to pass on Jack Conklin and Ryan Kelly for the O-Line, but then I started looking at their defense and the limited amount of picks that they have. They need an impact player on defense and Floyd could be the guy to raise havoc and increase their athleticism. With a shortage on playmakers at the DB position at this point, save Su’a Cravens, the Falcons have to take the home state kid and roll.
Indianapolis Colts – Jack Conklin OT – The way things were moving, I really wanted Shaq Lawson off the board at this point, but Conklin is available and Andrew Luck needs to stay upright. The Colts need edge rushers really bad, but the value of Lawson or Noah Spence isn’t as good as it is with Conklin at this point. So Andrew Luck does not die on the field, draft the OT.
Buffalo Bills – Shaq Lawson DE/OLB – Rex Ryan loves to hit the QB and Lawson fits the mold. Playing great on a great college team, Lawson was a difference maker last year. The Bills need help in a few spots, but Lawson is the value here over other LBs like Darron Lee and has less baggage than Noah Spence.
New York Jets – Taylor Decker OT – As the Jets work to fix issues all over the team, the most glaring loss to me was D’Brickashaw Ferguson on the Oline. The Jets have some playmakers on offense and whoever they sign or draft to play QB to me must be protected. An aging OLine needs more attention than LB at this point. Knowing the Jets, they will trade up to take Paxton Lynch and I will be wondering what in the world this franchise is doing as they continue to miss at the QB position.
Washington Redskins – Vernon Butler DT – Out of nowhere last year the Skins managed to put together a potent passing game and work themselves into the playoffs. What happened when they got there was they couldn’t stop Aaron Rodgers, not unlike many other teams. Losing Alfred Morris was a blow, but they should be able to replace him later in the draft. I would like to see them add to the defense so they might continue to contend as long as Kirk Cousins is in DC. There are multiple DTs in this draft to choose from and they could get a solid one down the road (Maliek Collins comes to mind) but I like Butler and I think he will hold his own well in the NFL.
Houston Texans – A’Shawn Robinson DT – The run on DTs continues and the man to hold the line up so JJ Watt can continue to raise havoc is Mr. Robinson. The Texans should be ecstatic to see him roll so low that they can grab him. He can learn from Vince Wolfork and become a lead DT for years down the road. Another option would be to go with Josh Doctson at WR and keep him in-state to help out unproven Brock Oswieler, but I think I would continue to build this defense that led them to the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings – Josh Doctson WR – As much as I dislike the Vikings, fact of the matter is this is a perfect fit for their team. Teddy Bridgewater needs someone to complement Stephon Diggs and keep defenses honest as they squeeze the last few years out of Adrian Peterson’s hall of fame career. I’m afraid the Vikings could be really good again next year, and the value for the Vikings is way too much to pass up. The need an impact offensive weapon and now they will land one.
Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Thomas WR – Hear me out on this one, because I know most websites have other WRs much higher. After losing Sanu and and Marvin Jones, the Bengals need a WR to offset AJ Green. While I would typically look at a player like Corey Coleman who has speed to offset Green, I’m still leery about spread WRs playing in the NFL. Thomas is a very athletic big man, that I think fits what Andy Dalton and the Bengals try to do, better than Coleman would. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenny Clark DT – Every time I fill this out for the Steelers, I either am picking a guard, outside LB or DT. It seems like the Steelers go through those positions a lot and it isn’t much different this year. Due to a lack of quality interior offensive lineman, I’m going with a value pick here. Clark was a stout DT against the run and the Steelers need a nose to hold up against the rest of their division. You could go with or Jarran Reed at this point, but I like Clark better. Another alternative is to go with a SS and Keanu Neal, but I think Clark is the better player to play right away at his position.
Seattle Seahawks – Ryan Kelly C – The best center in this draft, Peter King thinks he will start for ten year. Seattle has regressed a bit from their last Super Bowl win and have a few more pox than they did just a year ago. Marshawn Lynch retired, but there is nothing to fill that space with value here. They could add another to their outstanding secondary with Mackensie Alexander, or Noah Spence would be a nice pass rusher to add. I’d personally try and keep Russell Wilson clean if I could and add players of value at those other positions later on.
Green Bay Packers – Jarran Reed DT – With no ILB to speak of worth taking at this point, the Packers can fill another empty slot covering the retirement of BJ Raji with Jarran Reed. He is a true plugger and can fill the middle while the OLBs make plays. Now they just need to find some inside players to play behind him. Will Fuller intrigues me a little right here, simply because of the injuries that they suffered at WR last year that I feel really cost them in the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs – Mackensie Alexander CB – Pairing Alexander up with last year’s steal Marcus Peters should give the chiefs a great chance to win the suddenly up for grabs AFC West next year. With top flight WRs in this division, it never hurts to have plenty of guys to cover with. Another option is DT, but I feel like Maliek Collins will be available for them in the third round and will get to go home and play near his Husker stomping grounds.
New England Patriots – (Forfeited) – This is a stupid penalty for something that a lot of noted scientists have proven, probably never happened. Never the less, the Patriots will be wasting the last of Tom Brady’s years as the NFL looks to put their foot on the Patriots once and for all. Arizona Cardinals – Su’a Cravens OLB – I can’t hardly help myself here. The Cardinals certainly need help in other areas, but this guy just makes plays. I feel like he would be a great weapon for the Cardinals and help take the burden off from Tyrann Mathieu coming off of an ACL tear. There isn’t a pick on the board I like better than this one, the Cardinals would be getting a big player to help out with an already stout D.
Carolina Panthers – Noah Spence DE – I honestly love the value at the end of the first round better than I do the middle for some of these teams. I feel like getting a player of Spence’s ability is such a bargain for the Panthers. The could use a WR or even another DT at this spot, but in spite of Spence’s background, I’m encouraged by his aggressive nature in letting teams know that his maturity won’t be an issue at the next level. The Panthers could use an OT to help protect Cam, but there just isn’t the value at this point at that position
Denver Broncos – Shilique Calhoun DE – The Broncos need a QB, but honestly who would you take here? There isn’t a player on the board at this spot I feel is worth reaching for. With all that being said, I can see Elway taking a Connor Cook or even Christian Hackenberg in the second round if they are available. I love Calhoun as a player. Every time Nebraska played against him, I just felt like his presence for Sparty made everyone around him better. You might think it’s a reach for him at this point, but I feel like he is a first day talent and would fit in with this defense’s mindset and attacking philosophy. Normally, I like to fill in the interior of the lines with the higher drafting teams and then add skill position players later as we go, but this year was a little different. There is so many available options to play on the defensive line this year and only a few quality WR and RBs that are worthy of the first round. I personally wouldn’t have traded up to get a QB in this draft as I don’t think there is a true superstar-can’t miss prospect. I think the closest is Goff, but after that, Connor Cook could easily wind up having a better career than Carson Wentz and may come 2 rounds cheaper.
Huskers In The Draft
As for Huskers, I’m sure Maliek Collins will be the first off the board for the Huskers, possibly going as high as the second round, or as late at the 4th. I’d like to think the Chiefs would be in the running for his services, but I could see him in any number of places. Alex Lewis should be next after that, and it wouldn’t shock me to see him end up in LA with the Rams or in Pittsburg with the Steelers. Vince Valentine and Andy Janovich are fringe draft prospects in my opinion, although I’m sure someone will fall in love with Valentine’s size in round 6 or 7. Janovich is made to play for the Patriots, so we shall see if he ends up making plays with the Gronk. Who knows, maybe Zach Sterup’s late season run at guard gets him an opportunity that we never saw coming. That’s it, that’s the list. Remember, this is how I would draft…history says I’m about as accurate as most GMs, which isn’t saying much.
