Freeman Mock
1. Bengals—QB Joe Burrow, LSU: Can't find anyone in the league who believes Burrow is going anywhere but Cincinnati. I don't think the Bengals would trade Burrow if God offered them planet Earth.
3. Lions—CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State: I've heard several assistant coaches describe Okudah as one of the more physically gifted players they've seen in the past four or five years.
4. Giants—OL Jedrick Wills, Alabama: This pick makes the most sense of almost any in the draft. Get a great offensive lineman to protect a young QB. However, some team personnel people believe the pressure on general manager Dave Gettleman to do something, anything, smart puts pressure on him to make some type of move—and he normally doesn't make huge moves in the draft. So watch this space.
5. Dolphins—QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama: The Dolphins really like Tagovailoa—despite what you may hear. Not saying it's a done deal, but they like him.
6. Chargers—LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson: "You're going to see teams in the AFC West load up on defensive athletes because of the Chiefs," said one NFC scout. "Simmons typifies the versatile and explosive athlete."
7. Panthers—DL Derrick Brown, Auburn: A decimated defense needs a big-time player on that side of the ball. Several scouts also added we could see the Panthers move down several spots to get another good defensive player. With so many holes to fill, they could go in a lot of different directions.
8. Cardinals—OL Tristan Wirfs, Iowa: "They are building a nice passing offense," one AFC assistant GM said. "Protect the quarterback. Pretty simple."
10. Browns—OL Mekhi Becton, Louisville: Some of the problems with quarterback Baker Mayfield's pass protection came from his holding on to the football too long, but some of it was simply poor line play. This pick will help fortify one of several Browns needs.
11. Jets—OL Andrew Thomas, Georgia: Said one NFC scout: "I wouldn't be shocked if they moved way back in the first round and took an offensive lineman there and then a receiver in the second round. Or two of them in the second round."
12. Raiders—WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama: The Raiders need a lot more offensive firepower. Note that some team officials think the Raiders go quarterback here despite Oakland, er, Las Vegas, adding Marcus Mariota.
13. 49ers—WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma: A good replacement for Emmanuel Sanders, who went to New Orleans.
14. Buccaneers—OL Josh Jones, Houston: Protect Brady. Repeat. Protect Brady.
15. Broncos—WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama: The AFC West is in the midst of an arms race, and the Broncos are starting to assemble a ton of offensive talent. Ruggs adds to an already deep attack.
16. Falcons—QB Jordan Love, Utah State: "To me, the Falcons taking a quarterback is a no-brainer," said one NFC assistant coach, who added the reason he thinks that is Matt Ryan's play is beginning to deteriorate.
17. Cowboys—CB C.J. Henderson, Florida: The Cowboys get a steal and fill a big need. Also, teams say they don't believe rumors Dallas is interested in a quarterback here.
18. Dolphins—DE K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU: After getting their QB, the Dolphins get a talented pass-rusher.
19. Raiders—S Xavier McKinney, Alabama: The Chiefs' air attack isn't going to stop itself.
20. Jaguars—DL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina: It's expected Yannick Ngakoue will be gone eventually, as his Twitter beef with team exec Tony Khan this week made clear. While Kinlaw isn't an edge-rusher, he's the best interior pass-rusher in the draft, and the Jaguars really like him. (And—spoiler alert—they have another pick in first round.)
21. Eagles—WR Justin Jefferson, LSU: "He's as good as any receiver in the draft," one AFC scout said.
22. Vikings—WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State: When Stefon Diggs was shipped to Buffalo, it put the Vikings in the market for a wideout.
23. Jaguars (via trade with Patriots)—QB Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma: "I don't think the Jaguars leave the first round without a quarterback," one AFC scout said.
24. Saints—LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma: Some teams don't believe the Saints will take a quarterback because they think New Orleans sees Taysom Hill as the replacement for Drew Brees.
25. Vikings—CB Jeff Gladney, TCU: Gladney would be almost guaranteed to start for Minnesota next year.
26. Dolphins—OL Ezra Cleveland, Boise State: More help for an offensive line that sorely needs it.
27. Seahawks—DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State: If the Seahawks don't trade out of this spot and into the second round—and they probably will—they'll address a potentially huge need should they not come to an agreement with Jadeveon Clowney.
29. Titans—CB Kristian Fulton, LSU: The Titans are a Super Bowl contender; the only thing lacking is depth in their defensive backfield.
30. Packers—WR Jalen Reagor, TCU: I've heard teams are higher on Reagor than most know. He's fast, a good route-runner and would pair well with Aaron Rodgers.
31. 49ers—CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama: Another team without an abundance of weaknesses. Diggs will add to one of the most athletic defenses in the sport.
32. Chiefs—OL Cesar Ruiz, Michigan: Everyone thinks the Chiefs will trade out of this spot. One scout told me he thinks they'll trade back and get Georgia running back D'Andre Swift. But other teams think Ruiz is the pick here.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2887549-mike-freemans-10-point-stance-tua-herbert-love-nfl-mock-draft-answers-all?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_medium=referral
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
If 20-22 goes Kinlaw-Jefferson-Aiyuk (us) that's gonna sting.
I would try to trade back at both 22 and 25 and maybe get either of those picks above plus more. Instead of Aiyuk at 22 we could get a Higgins or Mims in the low 30's and instead of Gladney for Fulton or Jayln Johnson
@"minny65" said: I would try to trade back at both 22 and 25 and maybe get either of those picks above plus more. Instead of Aiyuk at 22 we could get a Higgins or Mims in the low 30's and instead of Gladney for Fulton or Jayln JohnsonI agree, especially if the guys they really like went right ahead of them, trade back a few spots, catch your breath and not be tempted to make reactionary picks.
If Kinlaw or Jefferson is there around 18? I'm trying to move ahead of the Eagles
I think it's very lazy when someone makes a projection like, "When Stefon Diggs was shipped to Buffalo, it put the Vikings in the market for a wideout". It suggests they have read nothing more about this team than the biggest national headline of our offseason.
Aiyuk is not a receiver I know well, but my first impression is very moderate. He kind of reminds me of Bisi Johnson, so would he add a different dimension to the WR corps?
@"MaroonBells" said: Wouldn't complain about that draft.I would. No Receiver will replace Diggs next year, that's just a fact. If Minnesota has Aiyuk as one of the Top 3 WRs then fine. I have him tied at the top of the Tier 2 guys, none of whom I'd spend a 1st on.
But CB for a team that was in Zone 77% of the time last year is a waste of a 1st. I'd pick Cleveland or Ruiz before a Zone Corner.
@"FSUVike" said:@"MaroonBells" said: Wouldn't complain about that draft. I would. No Receiver will replace Diggs next year, that's just a fact. If Minnesota has Aiyuk as one of the Top 3 WRs then fine. I have him tied at the top of the Tier 2 guys, none of whom I'd spend a 1st on.But CB for a team that was in Zone 77% of the time last year is a waste of a 1st. I'd pick Cleveland or Ruiz before a Zone Corner.
was that 77% by design or was it based on failures of the CBs that we chose not to retain? or the lack of an interior pass rush that allowed QBs all day to step up and wait for receivers to break open?
@"FSUVike" said:@"MaroonBells" said: Wouldn't complain about that draft. I would. No Receiver will replace Diggs next year, that's just a fact. If Minnesota has Aiyuk as one of the Top 3 WRs then fine. I have him tied at the top of the Tier 2 guys, none of whom I'd spend a 1st on.But CB for a team that was in Zone 77% of the time last year is a waste of a 1st. I'd pick Cleveland or Ruiz before a Zone Corner.
I don't even know what the zone corner thing is supposed to mean. You play what your pressure and corner talent allows you to play.
@"FSUVike" said:@"MaroonBells" said: Wouldn't complain about that draft. I would. No Receiver will replace Diggs next year, that's just a fact. If Minnesota has Aiyuk as one of the Top 3 WRs then fine. I have him tied at the top of the Tier 2 guys, none of whom I'd spend a 1st on.But CB for a team that was in Zone 77% of the time last year is a waste of a 1st. I'd pick Cleveland or Ruiz before a Zone Corner.
Agreed. OL is far more a pressing need than WR at 22. Don't mind a CB but with the WR talent this year, getting a road grader who can protect is more important, IMHO.
If you guys think they were only playing Zone because their Man Corners sucked then riddle me why Zimmer hired a guy from a Cover 3 background to coach his new 1st Round CB to play Man at the NFL level?
Some folks act like Cover 3 is the worst. The Ravens Elite Defense was Cover 3 based. As were all of Rex Ryan's Ryan's Defenses. The Broncos D. The Legion of Boom. Tampa Bay was Cover 2.
You need good Players period, regardless of position, to be Elite in any system. And Cover 3 is no different. But how many of those Elite Defenses that were Zone based had two 1st Round picks at Corner?
Minnesota has a 1st Round pick with some experience playing Zone. They have a UDFA that can play Man who should have been a 3rd Round pick. They can add a veteran. And a mid-round pick and a late round pick. And UDFAs. And they have Boyd and Sayles developing.
You know what all those Elite Defenses that played Zone had? Killer pass rushes. Minnesota does not. They need a 3T and a rotational DE.
They also need to continue the O-Line overhaul. Especially for a team that is run-first. Which helps keep the Defense off the field.
If I'm playing Man as a majority of my snaps, or even 50/50 Zone, I take Corners high every year. Because the kids that profile as good Man Corners go early and often. When I'm so heavily Zone based I can develop mid-round Rounds guys, add cheaper vets who won't command as much $$$ since they aren't sticky Man CBs and look to develop the next cerebral, not-so-great athletically Corner like some dude named Richard Sherman......
The Vikings seriously need to take some of that draft capital and go get Yannick Ngakoue. If you want to find a difference maker that will make your young corners better, it’s this guy. Who wants to face Hunter in one side and Ngakoue on the other? All I can say is have fun planning for those two opposing o coordinators
@"FSUVike" said:@"MaroonBells" said: Wouldn't complain about that draft. I would. No Receiver will replace Diggs next year, that's just a fact. If Minnesota has Aiyuk as one of the Top 3 WRs then fine. I have him tied at the top of the Tier 2 guys, none of whom I'd spend a 1st on.But CB for a team that was in Zone 77% of the time last year is a waste of a 1st. I'd pick Cleveland or Ruiz before a Zone Corner.
Agreed. I still like waiting for WR and CB until after the 1st and taking Oline and Dline.I still have Gross-Matos at #22 and Cleveland at #25 if we can't move down a little. I think Patterson could mold Gross-Matos into a Pro Bowl DE to rotate in with Odenigbo. Cleveland at #25 is a little bit of premium, but I think the 5 top rated tackles will all be gone by #22 and I don't want to risk what we be leftover at #58.
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.