SERBY’S MOCK 5.0
JETS, GIANTS GET DEFENSIVE
T HE SERBY Mock 5.0 is our penultimate draft projection, with 6.0 dropping in the hours leading into draft night next Thursday.
Josh Rosen will for the second straight mock wind up traded to the Redskins, who will not have to surrender their firstround pick.
No trade down for the Jets, a different surprise quarterback for the Giants.
A stab at the entire first round:
1. CARDINALS QB KYLER MURRAY, Oklahoma
This has to be the pick, right? New coach Kliff Kingsbury wants him, right? Jon Gruden won’t make them an offer they can’t refuse, will he? They’re trading Rosen, aren’t they?
2. 49ERS DE NICK BOSA, Ohio State
Dee Ford on one side, this guy on the other side. Ciara won’t be second-guessing hubby Russell Wilson’s new $140 million Seahawks contract, but this would be a twice-a-season menace for them. And welcome to the NFL, Kyler Murray.
3. JETS OLB JOSH ALLEN, Kentucky
Is Gregg Williams pounding the table for Quinnen Williams or Ed Oliver, or is he just pounding the table because he’s Gregg Williams? Doesn’t anyone want to trade up with Mike Maccagnan for a quarterback? Wait … the phone rings in the war room. It’s Dave Gettleman.
Maccagnan: “Dave, great trade with the Browns. You really fleeced them. (Cups mouth to muzzle laughter and looks over at
Christopher Johnson.) You finally looking for a quarterback, by any chance?”
Gettleman: “Not at all. We have a twotime Super Bowl-winning quarterback. I can’t help my hog molly self.”
Maccagnan: “No truth to the rumor that Eli’s last six years were redacted in the Mueller Report, is there (chuckle)? Just kidding, Dave, just kidding. We will need your second-rounder, of course.”
Gettleman: “Got a better offer for ya — Peppers … former first-rounder. So you get two 1s.” Maccagnan hangs up. And picks a pass rusher who maybe can scare Tom Brady.
4. RAIDERS DT QUINNEN WILLIAMS, Alabama
Top player in GM Mike Mayock’s 2019 mock draft.
5. BUCCANEERS DT ED OLIVER, Houston
The replacement for Gerald McCoy who has drawn comparisons to John Randle.
6. GIANTS
ILB DEVIN WHITE, LSU
A three-down, 237-pound missile who gives defensive coordinator James Bettcher much-needed speed and leadership alongside Alec Ogletree.
7. JAGUARS
OT ANDRE DILLARD, Washington State
The draft’s best pass blocker protects the investment in Nick Foles.
8. LIONS
DE/DT RASHAN GARY, Michigan
A replacement for DE Ziggy Ansah and also insurance inside with Snacks Harrison turning 31 in November.
9. BILLS
OT/G JONAH WILLIAMS, Alabama
A pl ug- a nd- pl ay either at RT or on the interior with the highcharacter intangibles that appeal to coach Sean McDermott.
10. BRONCOS
TE T.J. HOCKENSON, Iowa
Joe Flacco lobbied against a rookie quarterback and John Elway makes his day with a throwback safety valve.
11. BENGALS
QB DWAYNE HASKINS, Ohio State
New coach Zac Taylor needs a new franchise quarterback to duel Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson in the division.
12. GIANTS (FROM PACKERS)
QB DREW LOCK, Missouri
Elite arm talent combined with a quarterback-whisperer head coach is enough for Gettleman to begrudgingly sign off on the Kansas City model.
13. DOLPHINS
DE MONTEZ SWEAT, Mississippi State
Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn are gone, and Charles Harris needs help chasing the quarterback.
14. FALCONS DE BRIAN BURNS, Florida State
Vic Beasley has tailed off, and this guy bends the edge enough to alarm Drew Brees.
15. REDSKINS ILB DEVIN BUSH, Michigan
Another three-down linebacker needed to run down Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliott.
16. PANTHERS OT JAWAAN TAYLOR, Florida
RT Daryl Williams is on a one-year prove-it deal, Taylor Moten is the left tackle and Cam Newton’s surgical shoulder needs to be protected.
17. PACKERS (FROM GIANTS) DT CHRISTIAN WILKINS, Clemson
Mike Daniels will be a free agent at the end of the season and Muhammad Wilkerson is counting his money somewhere.
18. VIKINGS OT/G CODY FORD, Oklahoma
Can be a much-needed plug-and-play 329-pound left guard to help Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook.
19. TITANS G CHRIS LINDSTROM, Boston College
Free agency brought LG Rodger Saffold, so here’s his bookend. Oh, and Frank Piraino left Boston College to become the Titans strength coach. A trade for McCoy would make him a sidekick for Jurrell Casey.
20. STEELERS OLB CLELIN FERRELL, Clemson
Former No. 1 pick Bud Dupree has been a disappointment. Can’t rule out corner, either.
21. SEAHAWKS CB GREEDY WILLIAMS, LSU
One of t hose long, tall corners Pete Carroll loves to bookend S haquil l Griffin.
22. RAVENS C/G GARRETT BRADBURY, N.C. State
Immediate starter on the interior so a Mark Ingram Ground and Pound attack can aid Lamar Jackson.
23. TEXANS OT/G DALTON RISNER, Kansas State
Last season Deshaun Watson too often resembled Joe Frazier against George Foreman.
24. RAIDERS CB BYRON MURPHY, Washington
Lacks elite speed, but he’d be a fearless competitor opposite Gareon Conley.
25. EAGLES G/C ERIK McCOY, Texas A & M
GM Howie Roseman likes hog mollies too, and RG Brandon Brooks (Achilles) could be on the PUP list in training camp.
26. COLTS DT JERRY TILLERY, Notre Dame
An athletic, 6-foot-7 interior disruptive for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
27. RAIDERS TE NOAH FANT, Iowa
A deadly target down the seam for Derek Carr to replace Jared Cook.
28. CHARGERS DT DEXTER LAWRENCE, Clemson
A 340-pound enforcer to stop the run once and for all.
29. CHIEFS CB DEANDRE BAKER, Georgia
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo needs someone to help Charvarius Ward and Bashaud Breeland combat Antonio Brown.
30. PACKERS WR D.K. METCALF, Ole Miss
A freakish, body beautiful deep threat gift for Aaron Rodgers and new coach Matt LaFleur.
31. RAMS C/G ELGTON JENKINS, Mississippi State
Center John Sullivan and Saffold no longer block for Jared Goff and Todd Gurley.
32. PATRIOTS QB DANIEL JONES, Duke