Fans in the Front Office: NFL Mock Draft

For NFL teams, the ultimate goal of every season is to raise the Lombardi trophy after a Super Bowl win.

The problem?  31 teams fall short of this goal.

This leaves teams entering the off-season looking for ways to improve their team and make another Super Bowl run in the upcoming season.

Now that free agency has cooled off, the NFL draft season is in full swing. Teams are carrying out their due diligence by working out prospects, holding dinners and personal meetings, and scouting every piece of game film and possible character red-flags. The draft is an investment, as there are only seven rounds to find young talent to turn a roster around.

For this article, we found die-hard fans of all 32 NFL teams to play the part of their favorite team’s General Manager. They selected every pick of the first round, analyzing team need and scheme fit. Note, this is not a projection of the actual draft on April 26th, merely what each fan would do based on their analysis.

That being said, let the inaugural Fans in the Front Office NFL Mock Draft begin.

 

GM: Neil Conrad

1. Cleveland Browns:

Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State

As much as I’d love to pick Saquon, Rosen, or Darnold at #1, let’s be real here. The most consistent player in the college ranks for the last two years has been Bradley Chubb. With double digit sacks (averaging ten per year) and double-digit Tackles for Loss (averaging 22 per year), all while dominating against college football’s top offensive lineman, Chubb is easily the most reliable investment in the draft.

During Chubb’s Sophomore season at NC State, his side of the defense only gave up one play longer than 20 yards, which he soon apologized for, and followed through, making sure it never happened again.

Chubb offers an impressive array of defensive skills, including elite vision and anticipation, pass rush moves, and he’s great using his hands to get off of blocks. One of his few areas of weakness is his punch at the point of attack on offensive lineman.

Plain and simple, when selecting the first overall pick, teams can’t afford to make the wrong choice. You have to take the best player available, and it’s Bradley Chubb. Paired with Myles Garrett, it is hard to argue this mindset.

 

GM: Casey O’Neil

2. New York Giants

Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Penn State

Saquon Barkley is one of the most athletic players in this draft. His all-around ability to get out of tackles and make plays is astounding. He is the perfect fit on a Giants team that has struggled to have a consistent back in years.

Sure, the argument could be made for some of the big games Orleans Darkwa had, as well as the emergence of rookie Wayne Gallman, but Barkley is a major upgrade over both of them.

Also, speaking for most Giants fans, it is about time to cut Paul Perkins loose.

Now, the question I face constantly with this pick, is, why not a quarterback with the second pick?

It’s completely valid point considering Eli Manning is in his late 30’s.

I still think Eli has a few more quality seasons left in him. Maybe I’m alone on this one, but I do believe Davis Webb still deserves a chance. He has perfect size for an NFL quarterback, standing at 6’5” with a year under his belt of learning the playbook. But, of course, he still has yet to touch the field. That is one thing I really wish had happened during the disastrous 3-13 season.

I would not be upset to see the Giants decide to take a guy like Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, or even Baker Mayfield.

The second pick of the draft is an interesting spot for the Giants to land, and who knows, they could trade back into the draft and accumulate more draft picks to help fill other needs. But until then, Saquon is the guy I want as the next New York Giant.

 

GM: Mark Brooks

3. New York Jets

Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC

The NFL is a quarterback driven league, plain and simple. Either you have one, or you don’t.

The Jets and the rest of the NFL are shocked that the Browns and Giants passed on the best quarterback in this class. A huge producer in the PAC-12, Darnold brings stability to the Jets who have been searching for a quarterback since Mark Sanchez’s career crashed and burned.

The butt fumbler USC will not stop the Jets from selecting their new USC Trojan franchise quarterback.

 

GM: Cameron Manchester

4. Cleveland Browns

Josh Rosen, Quarterback, UCLA

Josh Rosen is the most pro-ready quarterback to enter the draft since Andrew Luck.

Rosen is highly intelligent, able to anticipate defenses and protect the ball with great decision making as a result. He has elite accuracy with the football, making him able to throw receivers open often. He feels pressure and utilizes great footwork to respond.

The downsides are his reported issues with concussions and love for the game.

The Browns draft the quarterback that the fan base has coveted for so long, and find their franchise signal caller of the future.

 

GM: Corey Wolff

5. Denver Broncos

Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame

While the Broncos do not consider Case Keenum the future of the franchise, his signing does alleviate the immediate need to draft an early quarterback. Keenum will man the ship until the Broncos feel their “next man up” is ready to take over. Whether that player is currently on their roster, taken later in the draft, or drafted sometime in the future, Keenum proved he is able to make a deep playoff run.

With the Broncos content with the quarterback spot, they select offensive guard Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame.

Last year’s acquisition of Ron Leary and first round pick Garret Boles helped bolster the offensive line, but due to Max Garcia’s inability to play on the left side Leary was forced out of position.

With this pick, the Broncos will be able to move Leary back to his natural left side, and upgrade from Garcia on the right with the addition of Quenton Nelson.

 

GM: Dan Kress

6. Indianapolis Colts

Tremaine Edmunds, Outside Linebacker, Virginia Tech

After missing out on their top three guys on the board in Chubb, Nelson, and Barkley, the Colts had to go with plan D. With Edmunds the Colts address a big area of concern by getting a guy with a ton of versatility. The Colts plan on using Edmunds not only in pass coverage, but occasionally bringing him off the edge as a pass rusher as well.

It was hard to pass on elite defensive talent in the likes of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Roquon Smith still on the board, but Edmunds fits the scheme of new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

With the addition of Edmunds, this marks the beginning of various defensive talent the Colts plan to target with multiple early draft picks.

 

GM: Kyle Kruszewski

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Safety, Alabama

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw their hopes of Saquon Barkley vanish quickly.

The Bucs promptly redirected their focus to continuing the revamp of their defense, drafting the highly versatile Fitzpatrick. While Derwin James of Florida State was also considered, Tampa Bay opted for the 2017 Chuck Bednarik award winner due to his ability to fill needs at both corner and safety.

 

GM: Adrian Ellman

8. Chicago Bears

Roquan Smith, Linebacker, Georgia

With the selection of Roquan Smith, the Bears receive the top linebacker in the draft. With elite sideline-to-sideline mobility, and superb secure tackling traits, Smith immediately upgrades Chicago’s linebacking corps.

In addition to his ability to track and stop ball carriers, Smith offers coverage skills that are rare for linebackers. He is versatile enough to match up with any tight end, and good enough in zone to shade slot receivers.
The Bears got the best 3-4 linebacker in this draft, and he will soon be the defensive leader that defense needs.

 

GM: Travis Gaerttner

9. San Francisco 49ers

Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College Eagles

With the 49ers finishing near the bottom of the league in sacks last season, the need for a pass rusher becomes that much more important.

Although Landry may be lacking some in size, his speed and agility are hard to ignore. He had an impressive combine by leading all defensive linemen in three separate drills, and had a great 40-yard dash time, as well. His production fell off some last season compared to the season prior, but his athleticism is still undeniable. He has the potential to develop into a special player for San Francisco.

If he works on his strength training more, opposing quarterbacks best look out!

 

GM: Tyler Sessamen

10. Oakland Raiders

Derwin James, Safety, Florida State

The Raiders need to upgrade their defense, and they will do so with Derwin James.

James is able to play both safety positions due to his elite versatility.

Tight-ends are becoming more and more involved in offenses in this day and age, and James is the chess piece needed to contain conference threats like Travis Kelce and Hunter Henry.

 

GM: Mark Brooks

11. Miami Dolphins

Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Oklahoma

The Miami Dolphins floundered through 2017 with Jay Cutler running the show after Ryan Tannehill’s pre-season non-contact leg injury that put him on injured reserve.

After struggling to their 6-10 record, the Dolphins have made some pretty questionable decisions. Many of these said questionable decisions were based on impending free agency and poor contracts, but at the end of the day the ‘Phins lost 3 of their biggest stars in Suh, Landry, and Pouncey.

In order to bring a “new hope” to Miami, the Dolphins pull the trigger on the gun slinging, crotch grabbing, face of the franchise Baker Mayfield.

 

GM: Trevar Parson

12. Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen, Quarterback, Wyoming

The Bills looked to find their franchise quarterback at pick twelve without having to trade up in this year’s draft.

Josh Allen has all of the measurables to be that guy for the Bills. His greatest attribute, his arm, is easily the strongest in this year’s draft.

It will be interesting to see which quarterback the Bills will go with come week one. Whether it is their newly signed veteran A.J. McCarron, second year quarterback Nathan Peterman, or early draft choice Josh Allen.

 

GM: Brian Englert

13. Washington Redskins

Da’Ron Payne, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

With the 32^nd ranked rush defense (yard against) in 2017, the Redskins are in dire need of a big guy in the middle. What better way than to rejoin Da’Ron Payne with his former college teammate, and former 2017 first round pick, Jonathan Allen.

Payne’s impressive combine and ability to get after the quarterback gives him the edge here over Vita Vea.

They say the game is won in the trenches and the Redskins get an instant upgrade to their defensive line with the addition of Payne.

 

GM: Dane Staaf

14. Green Bay Packers

Jaire Alexander, Cornerback, Louisville

After losing Damarious Randall via trade to Cleveland and Morgan Burnett to free agency, the Packers are thin in the secondary.

After a monstrous showing at the combine, Jaire Alexander raised his stock enough to become the first cornerback off the board.

Alexander possesses elite speed, quickness, and instincts to be a shutdown corner. He has a strong frame that will help him in press coverage against bigger receivers in the NFL.

If Alexander can become a consistent tackler, fix his red zone issues, and stay healthy, the Packers have found their shutdown corner.

 

GM: Kevin Gardner

15. Arizona Cardinals

Connor Williams, Offensive Tackle, Texas

As the remaining top quarterbacks went off the board three picks before, both premier safeties gone, and trading out of the pick is not an option, the need to protect glass-made Sam Bradford needs addressed.

Giving up just one sack in three seasons at Texas, Connor Williams is the exact kind of lineman quarterbacks are so appreciative to have in the huddle. Williams is mobile enough to move to guard, and has the tenacity to finish punishing blocks at both tackle and guard spots. He has quick feet that give him the ability to set the edge on fast pass rushers and long arms to keep them there.

With the free agency signing of Justin Pugh at guard and Andre Smith at right tackle, Williams completes the rebuild at left tackle as D.J. Humphries cannot stay healthy. The offensive line was not good last year, and they can’t afford much of the same this year. Sam Bradford needs clean pockets to stay off the ground, and David Johnson needs running lanes.

Connor Williams immediately helps both of these issues.

 

GM: Rodney Ensor

16. Baltimore Ravens

Calvin Ridley, Wide Receiver, Alabama

Baltimore has kicked the receiver can down the road far too long. After signing retread receivers for the past few years, the Ravens get Joe Flacco a young Alpha type receiver in Calvin Ridley.

After a mediocre combine, scouts were left wondering if Ridley’s college tape can be counted on.

Ridley is an elite route runner that immediately brings an upgrade opposite Michael Crabtree. Ridley utilizes excellent footwork and quickness to get open. He has dependable hands and is above average after the catch.

Ridley will need to improve against physical corners in press situations to truly become an elite receiver in the NFL.

 

GM: Mark Brooks

17. Los Angeles Chargers

Vita Vea, Defensive Tackle, Washington

GM: Daniel Parson

18. Seattle Seahawks

Isaiah Wynn, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

After a big disappointment that Vita Vea was taken one pick before them, the Seahawks pivot their focus to the huge holes in the offensive line.

Wynn is versatile with tackle experience in college, but likely slides to guard at the next level. With great footwork and pass protection skills, Wynn immediately upgrades one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. Wynn has the athleticism and tenacity to bump to guard and solidify his run blocking.

When Russell Wilson has time to make plays, the Seahawks are hard to beat, and adding Wynn is the perfect way to make that happen.

 

GM: Aaron Marcel

19. Cowboys

Denzel Ward, Cornerback, Ohio State

The Cowboys revamped their secondary last season by cutting ties with Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr. They addressed this drafting cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis in the second and third rounds of the 2017 NFL draft, respectively.

That trend will continue this year as well as the Cowboys released cornerback Orlando Scandrick and pick up Denzel Ward from Ohio State.

Ward offers elite coverage skills and top-tier NFL speed. Size is a concern, so it will be interesting to see how Ward matches up against bigger bodied receivers, like division rival Alshon Jeffery.

 

GM: Daniel Parson

20. Detroit Lions

Sony Michel, Running Back, Georgia

Since Barry Sanders sudden retirement in 1999, the Lions have struggled with the run game.

They currently have a stable of average running backs, but with this pick they hope to find their 3-down back for years to come.

He offers quickness in space, elite vision and balance, solid receiving skills, and the ability to gain yards after first contact.  Splitting time in college with fellow stud running back Nick Chubb, Michel has a lot of tread left on his tires.

 

GM: Drew Goss

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Rashaan Evans, Linebacker, Alabama

With the selection of Evans, the Bengals continue to improve the middle of the defense next to newly signed free agent Preston Brown and long-time captain Vontaze Burfict. Evans will immediately help bridge the absence of Burfict during his impending 4-game suspension.

Evans is an elite tackler, filling holes with great vision and patience. He is above average in pass coverage and he is able to effectively move sideline to sideline.

 

GM: Trevar Parson

22. Buffalo Bills

Maurice Hurst, Defensive Tackle, Michigan

With Kyle Williams coming back for one more season, the Bills look to sure up their interior defensive line.

Arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the draft, Hurst slid to the 22^nd spot after failing his physical at the combine due to a lingering heart condition. The Bills are hoping the gamble pays off for them like Nick Fairley did for the Lions, who endured a similar predicament.

Hurst will likely work his way into the third spot on the interior line behind Kyle Williams and newly acquired Star Lotulelei.

 

GM: Daejshon Norton

23. Los Angeles Rams

Marcus Davenport, EDGE, UTSA

With Landry off the board and a need of outside pressure, the Rams take a chance on an edge rusher who had a solid combine and has potential to be dominant with more reps and development.

Davenport utilizes his length and arms for an array of power rush techniques. He has decent quick twitch attributes and can utilize his athletic ability to beat tackles off of the edge. His only downside is he lacks consistent elite quickness off of the snap.

 

GM: Eric Horstman

24. Carolina Panthers

Josh Jackson, Cornerback, Iowa

With the loss of Andrew Norwell, a big hole at left guard has opened up. It’s tempting to try and fill that need now with Will Hernandez.

However, since the Josh Norman debacle, the Panthers have been looking for a shutdown corner. They have drafted four cornerbacks in two years, netting just one stud in James Bradberry and three duds. They have tried to address the need in free agency with the nullified addition of Bashaud Breeland following a failed physical, and the actual addition of an underrated Ross Cockrell.

To sure up this need, the Panthers select one of the remaining top-tier corners of the draft, Josh Jackson.

 

GM: Tyler Yost

25. Tennessee Titans

Leighton Vander Esch, Linebacker, Boise State

Thanks to a busy off-season, the Titans allowed themselves to focus on the linebacker position early in the draft.

Given the departure of Avery Williamson, one of the Titans leading tacklers, there is a big hole in the middle of a restructured defense. Selecting a young athletic linebacker like Leighton Vander Esch will give new defensive coordinator Dean Pees a solid core to build around for the future.

The addition of a top linebacker and edge rusher paired up with their top cornerbacks Malcolm Butler, Adoree’ Jackson, and Logan Ryan, will catapult this defense into the next tier.

 

GM: Shawn Meehl

26. Atlanta Falcons

Taven Bryan, Defensive Tackle, Florida

After a pitiful run defense against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC divisional round of the playoffs, the need for an inside run-stopper was evident.

On top of this, the loss of Adrian Clayborn and Dontari Poe made this the main priority in this year’s draft.

The Falcons need to provide Grady Jarrett with a partner who possesses more strength than size and gives them the ability to stop the run.

 

GM: Michael Balko

27. New Orleans Saints

Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Louisville

There is no denying former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson is one of the most electric athletes to enter the draft since Reggie Bush in 2006. He has top level speed, quickness, and agility to make defenders look silly in open space.

Struggling at times with accuracy, Jackson would be able to spend the next few years mentoring under future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees.

The Saints hope to see a return on investment similar to what the Texans found in Deshaun Watson in 2017, and net their franchise quarterback for the future.

 

GM: Kevin Gardner

28. Pittsburgh Steelers

Justin Reid, Safety, Stanford

The Steelers watched coveted linebacker Rashaan Evans slip away to division rival Cincinnati earlier in the draft. To make things worse, Leighton Vander Esch went just three picks before at 25 to the Titans.

With first-round linebacker talent seemingly gone, the Steelers shift to their second glaring weakness of 2017: Safety.

Justin Reid is the perfect fit for the Steelers’ seemingly new direction on defense.

High football IQ was a trend with free agency this offseason, as the Steelers signed linebacker Chad Bostic and safety Morgan Burnett. Both players utilize their smarts and understanding of the game to be positionally sound to avoid giving up “splash” plays.

Reid offers all of that, and more. A gifted athlete who is capable of making plays all over the secondary, Reid allows the Steelers various options at the position. Morgan Burnett would be able to play a box-safety roll as a hybrid linebacker and Sean Davis could play nickel cornerback and stay at strong safety.

 

GM: Travis Dye

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

D.J. Moore, Wide Receiver, Maryland

After the losses of receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns to free agency, the Jags replace them with D.J. Moore.

Moore is able to line up at every receiver position on the field. Though not a true number one option, Moore is a strong receiver that makes tough contested catches in close coverage.

Moore also returned kickoffs and punts at Maryland, showing off his versatility as a ball carrier.

 

GM: Jacob Linkerhof

30. Minnesota Vikings

Billy Price, Offensive Guard/Center, Ohio State

After losing Joe Berger to retirement and Jeremiah Sirles signing elsewhere, the Vikes find themselves down two guards.

There is no better way to replace them than with their starting center Pat Elflein’s replacement at Ohio State: Billy Price.

The addition of Price upfront could be a dynamic pairing with Elflein for years to come having played together at OSU. The Vikes are notorious for pairing players like Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks at the linebacker spots (played together at UCLA).

 

GM: Alex Fichthorn

31. New England Patriots

Mike McGlinchey, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame

New England lost left tackle Nate Solder this off-season to the New York Giants in free agency as he was offered lucrative contract they could not match. They also lost tackle Cameron Fleming to free agency, but managed to retain tackle LaAdrian Waddle on a $1.5 million deal. Despite Waddle’s signing, Solder’s exit still leaves a hole on Tom Brady’s blindside though, and Mike McGlinchey would perfectly fill that role.

His 6’7″ frame closely resembles that of Solder’s. He has long arms, and he is very athletic and agile for his size. McGlinchey excels at pass blocking, but is also gifted at opening holes and creating movement at the point of attack. He is skilled and athletic enough to be left blocking one-on-one, and looks to be a starting left tackle in the NFL from the moment he is drafted.

One consistent knock against McGlinchey is a habit for false-start penalties, but this is a problem that should be easily fixed at the next level.

Overall, Mike McGlinchey will be a perfect fit at left tackle for the New England Patriots.

 

GM: Miguel Guerrero

32. Philadelphia Eagles

Malik Jefferson, Linebacker, Texas

Active in free agency, the reigning Super Bowl Champions already started filling holes, gearing up to defend their title.

With the addition of Jefferson, the Eagles leave themselves options with impending free agents after the 2018 season in linebackers Jordan Hicks and Corey Nelson, and defensive end Brandon Graham.

Jefferson would add more athleticism to the middle of the field, as he is a quick twitch, rangy linebacker. He excels at using his athleticism to track the ball and explode through holes to make tackles.

The biggest downside to Jefferson’s game is the mental aspect it takes to play middle linebacker. Too often Jefferson made mental mistakes that ended up in big plays for the offense. If Philly can utilize Jefferson in a scheme that allows him to focus on his strengths, he will be a great addition to the reigning champs.