User Submitted Mock Drafts: Feb 22nd-28th

Mock 1: Steven for the Falcons

Link to Mock: https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/draft.php?d=ixmuru

 

6 T GREG ROBINSON        

AUBURN

 

37 G DAVID YANKEY

STANFORD

 

68 DE TREVOR REILLY

UTAH

 

99 DT ANTHONY JOHNSON

LSU

 

135 DT DANIEL MCCULLERS

TENNESSEE

 

166 DE JOSH MAURO

STANFORD

 

197 RB DRI ARCHER

KENT STATE

 

Why I like it:

 

Though it is easy to focus on the Falcons defensive needs, it should be noted that they have some serious questions along the offensive line as well. If Clowney isn’t on the board and a premier LT is like Greg Robinson that is the direction the Falcons should look to go. Sam Baker just hasn’t been a strong LT for the Falcons in his career and while his contract may prevent him from being cut, the team can move him over to the right side. Greg Robinson locking down the blind side of Matt Ryan would be a huge advantage for the Falcons going forward. Both the Saints and Panthers have defenses built to attack the QB so Atlanta has to respond in kind. Grabbing Yankey at guard in the 2nd round would help complete this offensive line, and really strengthen their offense.

 

Despite focusing on the OL with the top two picks, the Falcons are still able to add some major help to their defensive line. Both Reilly and Johnson should be either starters or top contributors for the Falcons next season, while McCullers and Mauro can help add depth. This maybe isn’t the strongest you could upgrade the defensive line, but you are still getting two good players and that is after adding a pair of immediate starters to the OL.

 

With the last pick taking a flier on a guy like Archer is smart for the Falcons. Their long term RB situation is in flux, so they will need some guys to emerge, but the real reason is Archer can help this team a lot on ST right now. Having a quality return man can add a lot of value to your offense with starting field position. Archer has a chance to be a guy like that.

 

 

Mock 2: Ryan New York Jets    

Link to mock draft: https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/draft.php?d=asfyei

 

 

18 WR MIKE EVANS

TEXAS A&M

 

49 WR DAVANTE ADAMS

FRESNO STATE

 

69 G CYRIL RICHARDSON

BAYLOR

 

80 TE TROY NIKLAS

NOTRE DAME

 

111 DE DEMARCUS LAWRENCE

BOISE STATE

 

142 CB ANTONE EXUM

VIRIGNIA TECH

 

179 QB LOGAN THOMAS

VIRGINIA TECH

 

210 RB DRI ARCHER

KENT STATE

 

Why I like it:

 

This mock fixes a lot of areas on the Jets, but the focus is primarily on offense which is where it needs to be. Right now the Jets pass catchers are a complete joke and this draft lands three guys who can help right away. Mike Evans probably won’t slide this far, but the WR market could be more of a surprise than we think after Sammy Watkins goes. A lot of teams will value them differently and if Evans is on the board this is a homerun pick for the Jets. Evans is a great WR to have for a young QB. He’s excellent at working back to his QB and he is such a big body that if you get the ball close to him he’s able to come down with it.

 

On top of adding Evans, getting Adams and Niklas is almost unfair. That is a lot of size added to this group and will make it tough for a lot of teams to try to match-up. Cyril Richardson continues to boost the offense along the interior line. He needs some refinement, but his long term potential is extremely high. DeMarcus Lawrence and Antone Exum are two really smart picks and guys who should contribute early. Exum especially could be a steal as his talent is far better, but he’s down in the draft due to injury concerns.

 

 

 

Mock 3: Sean for the Detroit Lions  

Link to Mock Draft: https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/draft.php?d=gybbut

 

10 S HA’SEAN CLINTON-DIX      

ALABAMA

 

45 TE AUSTIN SEFERIAN-JENKINS

WASHINGTON

 

76 CB STANLEY JEAN- BAPTISTE

NEBRASKA

 

107 WR DEVIN STREET

PITTSBURGH

 

173 CB PHILLIP GAINES

RICE

 

204 DE CASSIUS MARSH

UCLA

 

Why I like it:

 

The Lions let Louis Delmas go this offseason and have a major hole at free safety. This is slightly high to take Clinton-Dix, but if he ends up being the right guy that won’t matter years from now. Clinton-Dix has the talent to be an impact free safety and could really help the back end of this defense. Detroit has a lot of defensive talent along their line and even at linebacker, but their secondary continues to be an issue. Adding Clinton-Dix and Stanley Jean-Baptiste could give them two key pieces to build around. Jean-Baptiste is a bit raw, but he’s got the potential to be a physical press corner at his size.

 

Grabbing a top TE like Seferian-Jenkins is also a smart pick in the 2nd as it give Matt Stafford another good weapon and he can replace (and likely improve) on Brandon Pettigrew‘s production. In the 4th I like the pick-up of Devin Street from Pittsburgh. Street isn’t a flashy receiver, but he’s got good size and production. He’s also a pretty safe bet. He might never be a star receiver, but he’s got a good chance to contribute, and could develop into a solid number 2.

 

Later in the draft Phillip Gaines and Cassius Marsh give nice depth for the Lions on defense.