QB OR NOT QB
Serby’s Mock Draft 2.0: Giants and Jets will get their signal caller
The Serby 2.0 Mock Draft is being held hostage by Kirk Cousins — he likely will land with the Broncos, Jets, Cardinals or Browns. For this mock — 1 through 15 — we’ll give him to John Elway, who is desperate for a Win Now quarterback.
In Mock 3.0, we’ll marry him to the Jets.
The Raiders and 49ers will have their draft positions decided with a coin flip.
1. BROWNS
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Hue Jackson plucks this generational running back before the next franchise quarterback. The great Jim Brown applauds the pick.
2. GIANTS
Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The high-character Quarterback of the Future for Pat Shurmur to learn under Eli Manning (and Davis Webb). “Dahnold and Bahkley were at the top of our draft bahd,” general manager Dave Gettleman says.
3. JETS (FROM COLTS)
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Woody Johnson risks his U.K. ambassador gig because his new franchise quarterback once wore an anti-Trump cap. Indeed, the president tweets: “Jittery Josh is a Jet. Sad!” He fires Johnson and replaces him with Christian Hackenberg.
4. BROWNS
Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming Unlike Johnny Manziel, here is a franchise quarterback with proto- typical size who is the answer to Cleveland’s prayers. Unless they’re wrong again.
5. BRONCOS
Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS-CB, Alabama
Aqib Talib is on his way out, so here’s a versatile thoroughbred for the No Fly Zone.
6. COLTS (FROM JETS)
Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State New head coach Josh McDaniels gets the draft’s best pass rusher.
7. BUCCANEERS
Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Brent Grimes is a free agent and will be 35 in training camp. A pass rusher is also a consideration.
8. BEARS
Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
A 6-foot-5, 250-pounder who can help Leonard Floyd rush the passer and has drawn comparisons to Brian Urlacher.
9. RAIDERS
Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Jon Gruden will need another wide receiver, but this would be a much-needed 340-pound monster in the middle of his defense.
10. 49ERS
Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
A nasty, 330-pound bookend for 2016 No. 1 draft pick Joshua Barnett and new bodyguard for Jimmy Garoppolo.
11. DOLPHINS Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
If GM Mike Tannenbaum liked Mark Sanchez in 2009, he will love this firebrand to replace Jay Cutler ... and maybe Ryan Tannehill as well.
12. BENGALS
Connor Williams, T, Texas
Andy Dalton has taken a beating the past two seasons because Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher have not lived up to the hype.
13. REDSKINS
Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Terrelle Pryor was a bust with Washington, and Alex Smith needs another outside threat to go with Josh Doctson.
14. PACKERS
Marcus Davenport, DE, U. of Texas-San Antonio
A 6-5, 259-pounder who might remind new GM Brian Gutekunst and new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine of a young Julius Peppers. Clay Matthews turns 32 in May. Aaron Rodgers is upset once again that he was not consulted on this. Danica Patrick clearly needs to cheer the poor guy up.
15. CARDINALS
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Rookie coach Steve Wilks needs his own franchise quarterback since Carson Palmer’s retirement. No more talk about switching the kid to wide receiver, please.