NFL mock draft, pre-Combine
Who will the Cardinals choose at the top?
The NFL scouting combine can produce both clarity and complexity for the draft.
For all 32 teams, this week’s annual event in Indianapolis serves as a common ground for ascertaining measurables and on-field drill data on more than 300 prospects. Interview sessions will allow teams to glean insight on the players who could become prized picks in April. But this week is just part of a larger scouting picture, and franchises’ outlooks will shift when free agency opens in March.
With two months to go before the first round in Nashville, here’s our latest mock draft.
1. Cardinals — Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State: This week will be the first opportunity for teams to get a look at Bosa since a core muscle injury shelved him for the season after three games, and he very well might firm up his status as the prohibitive favorite to be the top pick. Arizona is in need of cornerstones anywhere, and Bosa looks like the best bet in this class.
2. 49ers — Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama: The Outland Trophy winner would be the fourth defensive lineman to be drafted by San Francisco in the first round since 2015. By adding the consistently disruptive Williams, general manager John Lynch can take another step toward establishing a front capable of setting the tone against the pass and run.
3. Jets — Josh Allen, OLB-DE, Kentucky: Gang Green also might be an apt nickname for New York’s free agency mind-set, as GM Mike Maccagnan has pledged to be “active” in using the more than $100 million in projected cap space at his disposal.
4. Raiders — Ed Oliver, DT, Houston: If there wasn’t enough intrigue surrounding a franchise that has three first-round picks, coach Jon Gruden amped up speculation about Oakland’s plans late last week when he said there was “a lot of potential for trades.” For now, Oliver delivers on what the Raiders need most: pass-rushing prowess. .
5. Buccaneers — Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama: Even if Tampa Bay issues the franchise tag to left tackle Donovan Smith, QB Jameis Winston likely needs enhanced protection in order to thrive in coach Bruce Arians’ downfield passing attack. Williams is perhaps the most polished pass protector in his class.
6. Giants — Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State: If New York is prepared to pull the trigger on Eli Manning’s eventual heir, can GM David Gettleman afford to stand pat in this slot? An arms race for the draft’s top quarterbacks could force the Giants’ hand into trading up should they zero in on one target.
7. Jaguars — Drew Lock, QB, Missouri: Keep an eye on Jacksonville as a potential landing spot for Nick Foles. Lock, however, could continue to amplify the buzz he built at the Senior Bowl by showing off his top-tier arm strength at the combine.
8. Lions — Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson: While Detroit has a pressing need to ramp up its pass rush, coach Matt Patricia seems to favor edge presences who aren’t one-note. Enter Ferrell, an accomplished and studious lineman with a knack for disengaging blockers.
9. Bills — Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida: After showing marked improvement last season and prototypical tools for a pass protector, Taylor could be in contention to become the first offensive lineman to be selected.
10. Broncos — Greedy Williams, CB, LSU: Under defensive-minded firstyear coach Vic Fangio, Williams can help curb foes’ downfield strikes.
11. Bengals — Devin White, ILB, LSU: It’s long past time for Cincinnati to upgrade from Vontaze Burfict and the rest of a linebacking corps that has been both carved up by running backs and exposed in coverage by opposing passing attacks.
12. Packers — Montez Sweat, DEOLB, Mississippi State: With Clay Matthews’ and Nick Perry’s tenures in Green Bay possibly coming to a close, the Packers can’t rely on another 101⁄2-sack season from Kyler Fackrell to power their pass rush.
13. Dolphins — Daniel Jones, QB, Duke: A quick-triggered passer best suited to work the short-to-intermediate levels of the field and execute runpass options.
14. Falcons — Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan: Expect Gary to emerge as one of the combine’s biggest standouts with rare marks for speed and agility.
15. Redskins — Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma: Now that he has declared himself all-in for pursuing the NFL, Murray likely will command the biggest spotlight of any player at the combine. With Alex Smith’s 2019 status unclear, Washington shouldn’t let any hope for a full recovery end the conversation on Murray or any other quarterback.
16. Panthers — Jachai Polite, DEOLB, Florida: Polite’s explosiveness off the edge and growing set of pass rush moves would make him an attractive asset, especially if the unit ends up deploying more 3-4 looks.
17. Browns — Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma: Going back to the Sooners pipeline could pay off for Cleveland as it looks to surround Baker Mayfield with support. 6-4, 338-pound Ford is powerful and moves well for a player his size.
18. Vikings — Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State: A fleet-footed left tackle, Dillard would allow Minnesota to move Riley Reiff to guard while forming one half of a promising pair of bookends with Brian O’Neill.
19. Titans — D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi: Metcalf might be a significant part of the answer to opening up the offense with his rare blend of size (6-4, 230 pounds) and speed.
20. Steelers — Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan: Overshadowed by WR Antonio Brown trade speculation, Pittsburgh’s defense still has a substantial hole at its center. Built for today’s passhappy NFL, undersized Bush (5-11, 226 pounds) darts from sideline to sideline with a keen sense for finding the ball.
21. Seahawks — Byron Murphy, CB, Washington: With an NFL-low four picks, Seattle might be inclined to trade back or out of the first round to pick up more selections.
22. Ravens — Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma: A Lisfranc injury will sideline Brown for on-field work during the combine and his pro day, according to reports. Few receivers in the class, however, can match the 5-10, 168-pounder in generating explosive plays.
23. Texans — Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia: Change is likely coming to Houston’s secondary given the potential upheaval at cornerback beyond Johnathan Joseph.
24. Raiders (from Bears) — Brian Burns, DE, Florida State: At the top of his game, Burns is one of this class’ most adept defenders at disrupting quarterbacks.
25. Eagles — Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson: Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s attacking front four would be a fitting match for Wilkins.
26. Colts — Kelvin Harmon, WR, North Carolina State: A lackluster free agency class of receivers could further push GM Chris Ballard to draft the search for a complement to T.Y. Hilton.
27. Raiders (from Cowboys) — Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama: Despite having to scrape for playing time at Alabama and finishing third on the team in rushing last year, Jacobs could help recalibrate a Raiders offense still looking to establish an identity.
28. Chargers — Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame: He’ll have to answer for his bouts of inconsistent play, but Tillery can shoot gaps and shed blockers with ease.
29. Chiefs — Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware: A former cornerback who now blankets the back end of the field, Adderley demonstrates a capacity for sound coverage.
30. Packers (from Saints) — T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa: More than just a checkdown option, Hockenson is a wellrounded threat who could help QB Aaron Rodgers rediscover the utility of a consistent tight end.
31. Rams — Mack Wilson, ILB, Alabama: Wade Phillips’ defense could use more athleticism at the second level, and Wilson should be poised to make a significant leap.
32. Patriots — Noah Fant, TE, Iowa: In lieu of the outside threat New England needs, Fant can slide in as a dynamic pass catcher who can eventually take over for Rob Gronkowski.